Published on April 9, 2025 4:44 pm
Last Updated on April 10, 2025 6:25 am
Ezra Dean Newlin, age 94, of Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 7:20 AM – Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM – Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois, with Carroll Ross officiating. The burial will be in the Scott Cemetery near Winterrowd, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM – Friday, April 11, 2025, at the funeral home. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Ezra Dean was born on October 25, 1930, in Newton, Illinois, the son of Lawrence Edmund and Opal M. (Mahaney) Newlin. He married Ruth Hutchings Hinkle on February 4, 1951, in Rose Hill, Illinois, and she preceded him in death on October 9, 2000. Ezra Dean had worked at Norge and World Color in Effingham, Illinois, and owned D and R Tractor Sales. He was a member of the Winterrowd Christian Church, Jasper County Antique Tractor Club and Countyline Sodbusters. Ezra Dean enjoyed collecting tractors and die cast tractors, especially John Deere. He also collected hubcaps and had over 21,000 in his collection.
Ezra Dean is survived by: Children – Phyllis J. Rohlfing, Dianna R. (Mark) Keefer, Rachael L. Kreke, Wayne D. Newlin, Steven L. (Carol) Newlin, Bruce A. Newlin, Lora A. (Mark) Cunnea, and Clara E. (Greg) Koester; Son-in-law – Rob Upton; Grandchildren – Suzanne Rohlfing, Erica Lyall, Jennifer (Brett) Beck, Janeen (Kerry) Dougan, Ben (Amanda) Rohlfing, Josh (Calli) Keefer, Jessica Kreke, Lucas Kreke, Patrick (Grace) Newlin, Bryce Newlin, Kreig Upton (Lidiya Blair), Chris (Mackenzie) Upton, Tori (Haley) Cunnea, Kory Cunnea (fiancé Vanessa), Cody (Val) Cunnea, Hannah (Levi) Jones, Chloe Koester (fiancé Kenny Hartke), and Gabe Koester; Great Grandchildren – Aidan Windsor, Pierce Lyall, Emma Beck, Tristin (Desire’) Esker, Colby O’Dell, Braxton Rohlfing, Bralee Rohlfing, Brinley Rohlfing, Logan Newlin, Leia Newlin, Ava Upton, Baby Upton (due in July), Tinleigh Upton, Dean Upton, Tallia Cunnea, Taran Cunnea, Trista Cunnea, and Baby Jones (due in April); Great-Great Grandchildren – Mila Windsor, Lyla Esker, and Baby Esker (due in April).
Ezra Dean was preceded in death by his parents, wife, children Naomi Rohlfing, Susan Newlin, Beth Upton, and an infant son, great-granddaughter Parker Upton, son-in-law Neil Rohlfing, and a sister Nora Lee Rogers.