Dean Ellis Vaughn, 57, died Saturday, September 12, 2009, in Wichita, Kan. of a heart attack. Dean was born 3/29/1952 to Marven and Ruth (Freeman) Vaughn at Papillion, Neb. Dean graduated from high school at Lincoln Northeast. He then went on to Southeast Community College where he earned an Associate of Applied Science in food service management. He was the assistant manager of catering services at the University of Nebraska. June 3, 1994, Dean was ordained as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church. He loved serving the Lord and had much love and respect for the people and they for him at the several parishes where he served. These included; Adams, Hopewell, McCook, Norfolk, Norfolk Westridge, Battle Creek, Fairbury and Endicott. Heath concerns took Dean to Wichita ,Kan., where he doctored and was in customer service at Sportsman's Warehouse.

Dean was active in the Lincoln Community Playhouse and the Havelock United Methodist Church. He also had a special place in his heart for Little Pelican Lake at the family vacation home in Pequot Lakes, Minn. The last 16 years of his life were happily shared with his precious little poodle, Teddi. Dean's brother, Bob, was with him when he passed away.