Dean W. Morse, 61, of Cassopolis and formerly of Edwardsburg and Niles passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 at his home after an illness.

Dean was born Sept. 22, 1948 in Niles, the son of William and Ann (East) Morse, and has lived in the Michiana area all of his life. He was a member of the Operator’s Union of Heavy Equipment, Local 150, of South Bend, where he worked for many years. He was a member of the Edwardsburg American Legion and the Edwardsburg Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served in the United States Army during Vietnam as an infantryman and received a Purple Heart and an Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Dean is survived by his two children, Donell (Ronald) Goetz of Edwardsburg and Blake Morse of Cassopolis; three brothers, John (Judy) Morse of Jones, Mich., Larry Morse of Cassopolis and William (Sandy) Morse of Arizona; and one grandchild.

He is preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Max.

Friends and family gathered for visitation Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 West Main St., Edwardsburg. The service was held Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, where visitation was held one hour before services. Officiating was the Rev. Clearence Dycus, retired Baptist minister of Edwardsburg. The American Legion and VFW provided military honors at the funeral home.

Cremation followed services, with burial at a later date in spring 2010.

Memorial donations are to be directed to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.