Dean Bradley, age 89, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Dean was a graduate of Bucklin High School in Bucklin, Missouri. He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Dale (née Harl) Bradley; his children Nelda Bradley, Nancy Mietzner, Roger (Valerie Cooper) Bradley, and Wayne (Theresa) Bradley; and his grandchildren Mia Bradley, Danielle Bradley, Katie (Jacob) Barger, Jenny Mietzner, Anna Bradley, Robert Bradley, Nathan Bradley, Alexander Bradley, Satindar Grewal, and Savar Grewal. He is also survived by his siblings Marvin Bradley, Alice Mills, James (Peggy) Bradley, and Melvin Bradley; his brothers-in-law Lonnie (Kathy) McCollum, Johnny (Tina) McCollum, and Jimmy (Karen) McCollum; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Medley and Nola (née Sorge) Bradley; sisters-in-law Goldie, Marsha, and Thelma; sister and brother-in-law Zola and Dean McConnell; brother and sister-in-law Larry and Ila Bradley; and brother-in-law Gene Mills.

Professionally, Dean built a career as a skilled welder with Caterpillar, retiring at the young age of 53 after 35 years of dedicated service. Dean was a man whose hands were never idle. Even in retirement, he found purpose and joy in tending his garden and working on small engines. With an artist's eye and a craftsman's touch, he saw beauty and potential in the most unassuming materials—transforming scrap metal, nuts, and bolts into whimsical sculptures, yard birds, and other creative works of art.

Memorial Visitation for Dean will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home from 2:00 P.M. until the Service and Time of Sharing at 5:00 P.M. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Manhattan Center Cemetery, Manhattan, Illinois.

A Family's Request

In lieu of flowers, gifts, or cards, the family asks that friends honor Dean by writing a memory instead. Please take a few moments to jot down your fondest story, a funny moment, or a time when Dean made a difference in your life. Any kind of paper will do—no need for a fancy card, just words from the heart.

These memories will be gathered into a book for Dale, so she can revisit them whenever she wishes to feel close to Dean and the many lives he touched.

At the visitation, please share stories rather than formal condolences. Your presence already conveys your sympathy—your memories are the greatest comfort of all. Dean loved hearing people's stories, and the family hopes his memory will continue to live on through yours.

Arrangements entrusted to:

Forsythe Gould Funeral Home

507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442

(815) 478-3321

www.forsythegouldfh.com