O Dean Ehlers

Omer "Dean" Ehlers, 87, of Harrisonburg, passed away on February 19, 2017, at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. He was born on June 22, 1929, in Campbell Hill, IL and was the son of Arnold Ehlers, Sr. and Elsie Vogt Ehlers. Dean graduated from Campbell Hill Community High, Central College in MO., and received a Masters of Education from the University of Missouri. On August 15, 1951, he married Joanne Mershon of Buckner, MO, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded by a brother, Arnold Ehlers, Jr. and sister, Midge O'Brien. He is survived by a daughter, three sons, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a sister and brother-in-law, eight sisters-in-law and five brothers-in-law as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dean was devoted to his family, his church, involvement in education and athletics. He was honored as an All-State selection in basketball by the Illinois High School Basketball Coaches Assoc, All MCAU (Missouri College Athletic Union) four years and 2nd Team All American in basketball. He played professional baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization and was on the Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, post teams in basketball and baseball during the Korean War. Dean's professional career following baseball included teaching and coaching at Marshfield High School in Marshfield, WI, and Memphis State University. He was the first full-time Athletic Director for Memphis City Schools, and the first full-time Director of Athletics at James Madison University. He served as President of the ECAC South Athletic Conference when the Colonial Athletic Association was formed. The CAA annually presents The Dean Ehlers Leadership Award to the CAA male and female basketball athlete who best "embody the highest standards of leadership, integrity and best sportsmanship through their academic and athletic achievements". He also served as President of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Other honors include induction into the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame, Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, Central College Athletics Hall of Fame, James Madison University Athletic Hall of Fame, National Association of College Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Dean was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, and served in several leadership positions, and was a member of the Harrisonburg Rotary Club.