Dean Parker Duling

Dean Parker Duling, 92 passed away early Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at McCrite Plaza in Topeka.

He was born January 4, 1928 in Eskridge, Kansas, the son of Ernest and Anna Warren Duling. Dean attended Eskridge High School and graduated with the Class of 1945.

Following high school, Dean enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served until receiving an honorable discharge in 1947. He returned from his military service and enrolled at Washburn University. In 1952, Dean graduated with a degree in Political Science.

He worked as an elementary teacher after college before beginning a new career with his father-in-law at Ralph C. John Construction building homes. In 1968 he began his own company, Dean Duling Construction in Topeka. Dean built homes throughout the Topeka and surrounding area for the next thirty years before retiring in the late 1990’s.

Dean married the love of his life, Letha LaMoyne John on August 20, 1948 in Topeka. They spent their entire married life together in Topeka.

Dean will live on in the hearts and memories of his daughters, Debra Burris of Laguna Niguel, California, Dana Towle and her husband Chuck of Topeka and Dee Duling of Topeka; his ten grandchildren, David, Erin, Stephani, Lucas, Melissa, Emily, Jeffrey, Tony, Tina and Tommy; thirteen great-grandchildren with one on the way; numerous extended family and a host of friends. Dean was preceded in death by his loving wife, Letha on June 16, 2012. He was also preceded by a son-in-law, Bruce Burris.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Eskridge Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #338 Eskridge, Kansas 66423. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.