Dean Brickley, 93 of Port Matilda, PA, formerly of Blanchard, Pa. passed away Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College. Born November 24, 1924, in his family's farm house he was the youngest son of the late Jacob Brickley and Gertrude (Packer) Brickley.
Dean served in the United States Army infantry division during World War II and particiapted in the Battle of the Bulge.
After returning home from the war, he married Bertha Lingle, formerly of Beech Creek, who survives him.
Dean spent most of his employment working in construction for H.W. Raymond Co., Inc. and Irwin-Kuntz. In his spare time, he helped build five of his six children's homes.
Dean was an avid hunter and fisherman most of his life which contributed to some of his grand-children's most cherished memories of fishing for the first time with “pap” or just spending time together enjoying the great outdoors. Dean was also a huge baseball and football fan. In his youth, he played baseball for Blanchard teams duing the 1940's and 50's. He also coached Little League baseball in the 50's, 60's, and 70's and was assistant coach on a team that played in the Little League World Series. One of the items on his bucket list was to ride in a glider plane which he finally did at age 92.
Dean was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand whenever asked be it family, friend, or neighbor.
Dean was member of the Blanchard Church of Christ and American Legion.
Surviving are his six children; Joseph Brickley (Vanessa) of Blanchard, Craig Brickley (Ruth) of Beech Creek, Douglas Brickley (Jeannie) of Blanchard, Cynthia Kress (Steven) of Port Matilda, Lisa McKernan of Tyrone, and Gaylon Brickley (Lori) of Blanchard. He's also survived by eight grandchildren; Jodi Styers, Joseph Brickley, Jr., Mark Brickley, Barbi Emel, Asa Brickley, Faith Brickley, Noah Kress, and Micah Kress, nine great-grandchildren and a sister; Shirley Masden (Charles) of Davenport, Fl. He was preceded in death by two brothers; Donald and Jacob, and four sisters; Dorothy Hanna, Florence Warton, Betty Krout, an dLois Kessinger.
In keeping with his wishes, a private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Dean's memory may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517;JDRF Internatinal, 26 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10004; Jaffa Shrine Center, 2200 Broad Ave, Altoona, PA. 16601 or a local charity of your choice.