Dean M. Keefe, 78, of Mendota died Sept. 2, 2016, in Heritage Health, Mendota.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 24 in First Presbyterian Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Susan Presley officiating.

He was born to John and Dorothy (Peterson) Keefe and raised in Mendota. He was married to Darlene Keefe, who was his loving wife for 34 years; she preceded him in death.

Dean later married Mary Jane Holcomb, his college sweetheart.

Dean was a 1955 graduate of Mendota High School and a 1959 graduate of Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

He had a wonderful life filled with family fun and lifelong friends like Tim Munson, cheering for the Denver Broncos and playing golf. He founded his own flexible packaging company, Poly Products in Denver, Col. Dean mastered the art of salesmanship through Poly Products for 36 years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane of Mendota; his daughter, Erin (Paul) Scott, who was the love of his life; his grandsons, Nathaniel and Connor, who lit up every corner of his heart; Diane McKnight, his twin and loving other half who will miss him more than any of us will ever understand; his loving and younger sister, Ruth Miller who has been his confidant and faithful advisor for his whole life; his seven very special nieces and nephews who rounded out his life and filled him with much love and laughter.

In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jack.

A memorial scholarship in his name will be established for any Mendota High School graduate who wishes to attend Cornell College.