Mr. James "Jimmy" Donald Dean

Mr. James “Jimmy” Dean of Knoxville died Friday, October 18, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Jimmy was born May 12, 1947 in Elmore, Illinois to Mr. Victor and Miriam (Brown) Dean. He married Karen Forrester in 1967 and together, they had two sons and later divorced. He married Janet Pinger in Louisville on November 29, 2000.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Janet Pinger of Knoxville, his two sons Michael (Michele) Dean and Robert (Lisa) Dean, two brothers, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Also surviving are his “adopted family” made up of Jim (Cathy) Hawk, Nate Hawk and Samantha Gregory.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Jimmy was a Veteran and factory worker, but he was best known as owner/ operator of Dean’s RV Sales & Service for many years before retiring the business in 2012. He had been a member and served on the board for Abate of Illinois and Central Illinois ABATE for 42 years and was newsletter coordinator for many of those years. He was also a member of the Central Illinois Vulcan Riders Association. Jimmy dedicated his life to Motorcyclist's Rights; he met Janet while they were both being involved Motorcyclist's Rights.Jim was a Charter Life Member of the American Motorcyclist Association and a Found Member of the Illinois Motorcyclist's Rights Association.  He will be remembered for being intelligent, well-read and easy to get along with.

Cremation will be accorded. There are no services in order. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel have been entrusted with cremation arrangements. 

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