Allen Dean, 73, of Melbourne, Iowa passed away peacefully May 29, 2022, in his home. A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm, Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Grinnell Christian Church. Allen's request that his service be informal, "everyone wear blue jeans." In lieu of flowers memorials may be designated to the Allen Dean memorial fund in c/o of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA, 50112. Allen was born on January 7, 1949 in Grinnell, Iowa. Richard Edgar and Mary Francis (Clayton) Dean raised Allen in Grinnell. He graduated at Grinnell High School with the class of 1967. After graduation, he joined the Navy during the Vietnam War, until his honorable discharge in 1971. On April 8, 1972, Allen was united in marriage to Carol Kelley at the Grinnell Christian Church. To this union the couple had two children, Amanda and Curtis. Family was very important to Allen. He adored both his children and his grandchildren. He was known for his famous "wet willys," being an animal whisperer, collecting Navy caps and watching his favorite NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace. Allen's time in the Navy left a lasting impression on his life as he kept in touch with old shipmates from his time on the USS Oriskany and the USS Bennington. Allen was also passionate about his work in numerous factories he was employed at, being a strong union member, and even being interviewed on tv while at Midwest Manufacturing. Allen is survived by his wife, Carol Dean of Melbourne; his children, Amanda (Brian) Minser of Melbourne, and Curtis Allen Dean of Marshalltown, Iowa; his grandchildren, Madison (Jackson Eichhorn) Minser of Evansdale, Iowa, Lucas Minser of Ames, Iowa, Cloe and Jaxson Minser of Melbourne; and his sisters, Barbara Sue Dean Smith of San Francisco, California, and Catherine Diane (Dale) Harding of Albion, Iowa. He is predeceased by his parents, and his brother, Edwin Brownlie Dean.