ROCHELLE — Dean George Lechner, 84, long time resident of Rochelle passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024. Dean was born on January 26, 1940, the son of Urban and Louise (Schmitz) Lechner in Streator, IL. On January 9, 1960, he married Rosalie C. Grasser in Mt. Palatine, IL. She passed before him (September 17, 1939 – May 10, 2002).  Dean worked as a truck driver for Sunbeam and then for Burren Transit for 27 years.

Dean was a member of the St. Patrick’s Church, an active 4th Degree Knight of Columbus member, active member of the Rochelle Moose Club, and a member of the Rochelle VFW Post 3878.

Dean and Rosie raised six wonderful children on a farm in rural Rochelle. There were five boys and one wonderful and patient daughter who put up with the silly boys. All six children attended Kings Elementary School and Rochelle Township High School. Dean and Rosie are proceeded by a very big family including, son,  Raymond (Bryon Farmer) Lechner, son, Rodney (Karen) Lechner and their six children: Ashley (Travis) Wray, Ryan (Shirley) Lechner, Amber Lechner, Chris (Tiffany) Lechner, Zach Lechner, Ben (Jamie) Mershon and 16 great grandchildren; daughter, Dianne (Jim) Vogeler and their three children: Jake (Kendall) Vogeler, Nathan (Carly) Vogeler, and Mallory (Nick) Wisebrock and four great grandchildren; son, Richard (Joanne) Lechner and three children: Cody (Nicole) Lechner, Jordan (Erica) Lechner, Caity (Ricky) Hall, and five great grandchildren; son, Robert (Dee Ann) Lechner with two children: Austin (Monica) Lechner and Hanna (Michael) Saxton, with three great grandchildren; son, Russ (Jen) Lechner with seven children: Travis Lechner, Megan Lechner, Makayla (Nathan) Black, Jessica Lechner, Robert Lechner, Aaron Bussan, and Adrienne Bussan, and six great grandchildren. In summary, Dean leaves behind six children, 22 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren, with more on the way. He is also survived by his brother, Don (Marilyn) Lechner of Streator, IL and sister, Elaine Luakch of Cumming, GA.

In addition to his parents and wife, Rosie, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Norbert and Danny Lechner.

Services will be at St. Patrick’s Church, 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle on Monday, October 7, 2024. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM, followed by a mass at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Rochelle. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Serenity Hospice and Home or St. Patrick Catholic Church.