AVA - W. Dean Bame, 83, of Ava, passed away peacefully at 1:10 pm, Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. Dean was born in Ava on February 8, 1932, the son of Raymond and Emma (Barringer) Bame. He was raised on the family farm and orchard near Ava. On August 2, 1952, he married Betty Lois Bower in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dean served in the US Navy from 1952 until 1956. Dean retired from the US Department of Agriculture with 28 years of service. He served on the Board of Directors of Egyptian Electric Cooperative for 25 years. He was a Chairman of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. In addition, Dean continued the tradition of the family farm. He was a member of the Murdale Baptist Church in Carbondale. Dean is survived by his wife, Betty Bame of Ava; son, Kevin Bame and his wife, Lyn of Murphysboro; daughter, Laura Lee Hagemier and her husband, Fred of Middletown, MO; grandson, Alex Bame and his wife, Gretchen of Murphysboro; granddaughter, Alyssa Bame Verheyen and her husband, Tim of Maryville, IL; grandson, Jarrett Hagemier and his wife, Andee of Middletown, MO; grandson, Tyler Hagemier of Middletown, MO; great grandson, Gage Hagemier of Middletown, MO; aunt, Pearl Bame of Ava; and aunt, Mary Louise Falkenberry of Columbia, IL. Dean was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 17, 2015 at the Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava with Rev. Paul Hicks officiating. Burial will follow in Ava Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, Illinois. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava, where friends may call from 5 pm until 8 pm Thursday and on Friday from 7:30 am until the hour of service. Memorials may be given to Bower Cemetery or Murdale Baptist Church.