Gilbert Dean Call, 91 , a devoted father, veteran and lifelong entrepreneur, passed away at 7:12 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, leaving behind a legacy, devotion to family and a sharp wit.

Dean was born April 26, 1935 in Huntington, Indiana a son of Rev. Elton D. and Gladys M. (Jackson) Call. Growing up as a preacher's kid, Dean lived in various communities across Northern Indiana as his father pastored multiple Pilgrim Holiness Churches. He attended Huntington and Albion High Schools. Dean joined the United States Navy and served during the Korean War.

Shortly thereafter, he met the absolute love of his life, Shirley Ann Herendeen. On December 12, 1954 they were united in marriage. Their beautiful partnership spanned 54 wonderful years until Shirley's passing in 2008. Together, they were blessed with four daughters – Karen, Paula, Lisa and Tina – who were affectionately known as the "Call Girls".

In 1965 the family moved to Columbia City, where Dean would reside for the next 61 years. Dean was a self-made entrepreneur through and through. Over his lifetime he owned and operated many local small businesses, including service stations, restaurants and a sales business serving regional convenience stores. He had a passion for commerce and a legendary eye for a bargain. Always looking to make a "sale" or pick up a bargain, he rightfully earned the nickname "Slick" over the years. In his later years, he kept his industrious spirit alive by repairing bicycles and selling them from his yard.

Dean and Shirley shared a deep love for adventure. They spent years traveling to antique stores, auctions and garage sales in search of the unique and unusual. They were also huge NASCAR fans, traveling to Florida for many years to attend the Daytona 500 and reconnect with a beloved circle of friends they made while there.

Closer to home, Dean was an avid fan of local sports and loved staying active around town. He was a familiar face in local restaurants, where he spent hours enjoying coffee and conversation. He made countless lifelong friends during those coffee hours, who all fondly knew him as "Dino".

His loving family will carry on his memory and vibrant spirit. His daughters, Karen (Steve) Briggs of Huntington, Paula (Jim) Davis of Fort Wayne, Lisa Dean (Charles) Coults of Beverly, Mass. and Tina (Ryan) Wood of Columbia City; seven grandchildren, John Mann, Curtis Mann, Aaron Briggs, Natosha (Wood) Hamm, Alexandra Coults, Alyssa (Davis) Bixler and Corinne Coults-Difazio; and eight cherished great grandchildren who brought immense joy to his life.

Dean was reunited in peace with his beloved wife, Shirley; his parents; and two brothers, Richard Call and Carl Call.

Dean's laughter, sharp mind and dedication to his family will be deeply missed but never forgotten. His was a life well lived, full of adventure, love and a family that adored him.

The visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. Thursday. The burial will be in Rehoboth Cemetery, Noble County.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to The Pilgrim Holiness Church of Noblesville, IN.