Dean N. Applin

Dean Neil Applin passed away on October 18, 2025, at the age of 88 at Ebeid Hospice Center. He was born November 3, 1936, at home to William R. Applin and Mae Ann (Putz) Applin in Iron River, Michigan. The family later moved to Onsted, Michigan where Dean grew up, went to school, and played sports. He married Andrea (Annie) Sieja in 1968 at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Toledo, and they recently celebrated 57 years of marriage.

Dean worked most of his adult life in the trucking industry, working many of those years for Jones Transfer company and later retiring from UPS Feeder Department where he was a proud member of Teamster Union Local #20.

In addition to being a hardworking employee, Dean felt a need to give back to his community. He joined the Army in 1961 and served in the chemical section and was stationed at various bases in California, Alabama, Missouri, and Michigan. He was honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of Chemical Staff Specialist.

While living in Blissfield, Michigan, he served as a Committee Chairman of the Cub Scouts and was an active member and volunteer at Saint Peter Catholic Church. During his sales career in the trucking industry, he served two terms as President of the Lenawee Transportation Club, one term as President of the Maumee Valley Transportation Association, and was a member of the Toledo Transportation Club. Additionally, he was a United Way volunteer and assisted in their fundraising efforts. He presented career days to high school students on behalf of the trucking industry where he instructed the students that, “If you have it, a truck brought it!” Dean’s exceptions to that axiom are things that come in a pipeline and babies!

In 1997 Dean and Annie bought a condo in Cape Coral, Florida where they enjoyed many good times with good friends many of whom Dean was acquainted from his Christ Renews His Parish team who he met on retreat in the 1980s. He also enjoyed the occasions when children and grandchildren visited. In Florida, Dean was a three term President of Beach Villa II Condo Association.

One of Dean’s proudest achievements was being a ten-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross. He was very pleased when several grandchildren followed in his footsteps and donated blood. While Dean enjoyed traveling and golf, his most treasured times were spent with his family. Family gatherings for holidays, sporting events, and “just because” were his favorite times. He especially cherished the time spent with family at the lake—especially with the grandkids—initially on vacations at Round Lake and later at the “Apple Inn” at Merry Lake where many boat and golf cart rides were taken and good times shared. He also taught his children and grandchildren how to work hard both by instructing them in the “how to” of various jobs as well as assisting them with their projects to see them to completion. In his final months he remarked often that he had lived a great life and that his family was at the heart of that great life.

Dean is survived by his wife, Andrea; two children, Marie (Scott) Cherry and Neal (Jennifer) Applin; and twelve grandchildren: Kate (Jake Bartley) Cherry, Annie Cherry, Lydia (Jack Behan) Applin, Lu Cherry, Connor Applin, Will Cherry, Yana Applin, Ivan Applin, Owen Applin, Alex Cherry, Tyler Applin, and Bella Cherry. Also surviving are two sisters, Margaret (Bill) Razgunas and Jane (Chris) Schultz; sisters-in-law Sherryl Applin, Barbara Sieja, and Maeva Sieja; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill (Helen) Applin and Dick Applin, and sister Carol (Roger) Mapes.

A visitation will be held at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 3 pm to 8 pm, with a scripture service and sharing of memories beginning at 7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church, 5562 Dorr St., on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11 am with an hour of visiting beforehand. Interment will be private.