The Rev. Dean Earl Hughes of Kingwood WV, a retired Western Pennsylvania Conference elder, died Saturday, July 23 in Preston Memorial Hospital.
He was born April 30, 1933, in Johnstown, PA, a son of the late Richard Owen and Florence Pearl (Sell) Hughes. A graduate of Waynesburg College and Wesley Seminary, Rev. Hughes began serving as a supply pastor in the Methodist Pittsburgh Conference in 1955 and was ordained an elder and became a full member in 1962. He served the Fairall Circuit from 1955-59; Scenery Hill/Davidson Charge from 1959-62; McDonald First UMC from 1962-65; Waynesburg: Washington Street from 1965-71; McMasters from 1971-78; Emporium UMC from 1978-87; Franklin Grace from 1987-1990, and Ridgeway:Trinity from 1990-97, when he retired from active ministry.
He then moved to Kingwood, West Virginia, where he served as Pastor of Kanes Creek and Mount Vernon UMCs from 1997-2006. He was a member of Wesley UMC in Kingwood, the Waynesburg Lodge 153 F. & A.M. and the Shrine Temple in Pittsburgh, PA.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Katherine Jean (Thomas) Hughes; two daughters and spouse, Charlene and Tom Strahin of Kingwood, Cindy Klara of Elkridge, MD; two brothers, Lloyd Hughes and Richard Hughes, both of Johnstown, PA; two grandchildren, Jason Moore, Jennifer Pleitez; three great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Jordan and Joel Pleitez.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Rupert, Calvin and George Hughes; one sister, Ardythe Ann Williams.
Visitation was at the Rotruck-Lobb Kingwood Chapel and a funeral service was held Tuesday, July 26 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Kingwood with , with the Revs. Paul Rebelo, Tom Lynn and David Youngdahl officiating. Entombment followed at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Personal condolences may be offered to the family online at www.rotruck-lobb.com.