Dean Lamar Morehouse

Dean L. Morehouse, 85, died Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Goshen Hospital where he had been since Tuesday.

He was born July 16, 1935 in Milford to Samuel Guy and Lydia Florence (Rowdabaugh) Morehouse.

On September 3, 1955 he married Eleanor Cobb in New Paris.  She died January 16, 2014.

Survivors include four children, Michael (Regina) Morehouse and Matthew (Soni) Morehouse, both of New Paris, Michelle Schmidt of Bristol and Melanie (Ted) Mason of Blissfield, Michigan; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eldon Morehouse of Muncie and John Morehouse of Goshen and a special friend, Becky Hostetler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; six brothers, Glen, Herbert, Harold, Everett, Dale and Nelson Morehouse and three sisters, Elsie Morehouse, Lucille Evans and Louise Meek.

A 1953 graduate of Milford High School, Dean is the 4 ^th generation to farm over 1600 acres in Jackson Township along U.S. 6.  A member of First Brethren Church, New Paris, Mr. Morehouse was a very active member of his community, receiving the Uncle Elmer Award in 2008.  He was involved with the New Paris Lions Club for more than 50 years, receiving their highest award – the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.  He was a township firefighter for over 20 years; served on the Jackson Township Advisory Board, served as a Federal Land Bank director and as a member of the ASCS board.  In 1976 the Ag Society named the family as Farm Family of the Year.

Mr. Morehouse was also very involved with the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.  He served on the Fair Board for over 31 years, serving as president in 1995 and as 4-H Fair Parade Grand Marshall in 2017.  In 1989 the Morehouse family was selected as a 4-H Family of the Year and in 2005 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Indiana Association of Fairs Festivals and Events.  In 2013 the Morehouse family was given The Hoosier Homestead Award, honoring their Indiana family farm for 150 years of operation.

Private family services will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  The service will be live streamed and the link will be available at www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com .  Burial will follow at New Paris Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 13, 2021, in drive through fashion, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Morehouse farm, 19195 U.S. 6, New Paris.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a memorial gift to First Brethren Church, New Paris, New Paris Lions Club or Elkhart County 4-H Corporation.  Gifts can be mailed to Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, 1911 S. Main St., Goshen 46526.