Margaret L. Dean, age 90, of St. John and formerly of Portage, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2014. She was born on October 24, 1923 in Temple, Pennsylvania to the late Laurence and Florence Viering. Margaret retired in 1983 after working for 19 years as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in East Chicago. She was especially proud of her service in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. She was a member of the National Association of Letter Carrier's Union, Branch 1399, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the American Legion Post 369 in East Chicago. Margaret was a faithful member of Augustana Lutheran Church and she loved to share stories about her cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Margaret is survived by her son, Martin (Monica) Dean; daughters, Marcia Dean, Jane Wendlinger and Sandra (Amos) Davis; brother, Louis (Shirley) Viering; sisters, Louise "Weedy" Miller and Judith Fritz; grandchildren, Laura, David, Derrick, Katie, Heather, Seth and Hali; great grandchildren, Jessica, Brett, Kierstin, Eleanor, Caroline, Peyton, Andrew, Thomas and soon to be Brady; special friends, Cora Rusher, Liz Bachinski, Joy James and Ann Rusher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laurence and Florence Viering; husband, Eugene Dean; son in law, Mark Wendlinger; brother, Laurence Viering Jr.; sister, Florence "Sis" Brown.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 10:00 am at Augustana Lutheran Church, 207 North Kelly Street, Hobart with Rev. Charles Streitelmeier officiating. Margaret will be laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, Indiana. For more information, please call (219) 942-2109. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com