Dean Stratton

Robert Dean Stratton, age 90, of rural Golden City, Missouri, passed away Wednesday night, November 22, 2017, with Maxine, his wife of 68 years, at his side at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood, Missouri.      Dean was born on November 11, 1927 on the family farm near Golden City, the first of three children of Vern and Elizabeth (Kentner) Stratton.  He completed eight years of country school at Mt. Carmel, graduated from Golden City High School in 1945, and served our country in the U.S. Army from 1946 through 1947.      On April 24, 1949, at his bride’s home, Dean married Maxine Winder. They made their home and reared their three children on their farm west of Golden City. Instilled with a genuine appreciation for the land and a strong work ethic, Dean was a life-long farmer. He was proud to see his legacy continue through future generations of Strattons making an impact in Barton County agriculture. He will be remembered by many for his mechanical and carpentry skills, his natural ability to fix just about anything, and the ready recollection of entertaining stories he delighted in sharing.  Active in his community, he served for many years on the boards for Golden City schools, Barton County Soil and Water District, and Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Dean was a faithful Church of Christ member; and, when failing health prevented him from attending services, he appreciated In Search of the Lord’s Way television ministries.      Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Elizabeth; an infant brother, Norman; his brother-in-law, Charles Haeberle; and his son-in-law, Pat Sego.      Survivors include his wife, Maxine; his children, Max (Donna) Stratton, rural Golden City, Sherril Sego, Independence, Missouri, and Darin (Katharine) Stratton, Joplin; a sister, Merrill Haeberle, Golden City; eight grandchildren, Amy (Larry) Nichols, Joplin, Adam (Abbie) Stratton, Golden City, Tasha (Murphy) Alvis, Joplin, Caleb (Courtney) Stratton, Joplin, Benjamin, Jacob, and Rebecca Stratton, Joplin, and Jennifer (Travis) Sego-Hargadine, Independence; three great-grandchildren, Cooper, Ellie, and Piper Stratton; a nephew, Ross (Bennie) Haeberle, Carthage, Missouri; a niece, Helen (Gary) Wilhelm, Golden City; and a long-time neighbor and close friend, Kenneth Bentlage.      Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 25th, at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Saturday.  Burial will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.      In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Mt. Carmel Cemetery or In Search of the Lord’s Way Ministries, in care of the funeral home.