LOWELL – Dean O. Cummings passed away March 25, 2010, at a Lincoln hospital. He was born July 31, 1923, the son of Hadley and Georgie (Smart) Cummings. His mother passed away when Dean was 1 and his father married Bernice Porter. Dean considered Bunny as his mother. He attended school in Howland. He served his country in 1943 in the European Theatre for 2 1/2 years. He returned home and married Fern Porter, in 1951 and started a construction business with friend, Claude Tozier. He continued in business on his own until his son, Andy, took over his business. In 1973, he purchased Riverview Nursing Home, then built Cummings Health Care in 1983. He also built Seboeis Stream Campground in the 1970s. Dean and Fern have had a heart for the elderly. They owned and managed elderly housing, Matthew D. Sherman Memorial Apartments in 1993 and in 1999 built Assisted Living. Dean was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, his bees, and life at the lake. His grandchildren have many “tales” to tell of memories with Grampie. He enjoyed traveling and his trips to Las Vegas and playing cards with his buddies. He always had many “business ideas” he was thinking of. He was a member of Masons, Anah Temple Shrine, American Legion Post 97, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9429, and Stewart M. Lord Historical Society. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Fern Porter Cummings; a son, Andre and Gayleen; two daughters, Nadine “Susie” and Kurt Babineau, and Melinda and David Goslin; grandchildren and stepgrandchildren, Jason and Liz, Bruce and Lana, Jesse Cummings; Jerry and Danielle Oakes; Ron and Sharon, Bob and Melissa, Kayla and fiance, Tyler, Grant Sherman; Joe, Eric Babineau, Annie Babineau White; Addison and Amanda, Ben and Sharon, Zachary and Deena Goslin; and Kenneth Lovdahl. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Muriel Cummings and Agatha Rogers; a cousin, Eleanor Lowe and her husband, Everett; a brother-in-law, Wayne and Shirley Porter; sister-in-law, Rhoda Dolley; many nieces and nephews. Dean was predeceased by a grandson, Matthew Dean Sherman, in 1988; a son-in-law, Butch Sherman, in 1991; a daughter-in-law, Susan Cummings, in 1999; his sister, Georgie; and brothers, Maurice, Raymond and Dennis. Friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln, where a Masonic memorial service will be held 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ed Costain officiating. Interment will be later in the spring at Howland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may donate in Dean’s memory to American Legion Post 97, Howland. Those who wish may sign an online register and leave written condolences at www.clayfuneralhome.com.
DEAN O. CUMMINGS
