Martha Caroline Dean

Martha Caroline Criss Dean, 92 of Terre Haute, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024 in her residence. She was born in Sullivan, IN on November 22, 1931to Denver Alva Criss and Bertha Ann Raley Criss.

Martha is survived by her son Darrell Dwayne Dean (wife Sandra Darlene Davison Dean) and son-in-law Robert “Bob” Acree whom Martha called her son, as well as grandchildren; William Dean Acree, Mike Acree (wife Heather James Acree), Ashton Acree, and Kaitlyn Kirkham. She is also survived by a special grandchild, Tonya Leach Webster and special friends Joe and Sarah Doner and family, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Frederick Dean whom she married on April 23, 1949 in Pimento, IN. She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Cynthia Ann Dean and Judith Belinda Dean Acree, as well as her siblings; Benny “Ben” Saul Harmon (Alberta), Alva Lloyd “Bud” Criss (Alice), Robert Glen “Bob” Criss (Betty), Blanche Irene Harmon Bose (Charlie), and Delpha Virginia Criss Nuckolls (Dewey). 

Martha had a generous heart, she would give you all she had if you asked her. She was a very hard worker and made the best homemade ice cream, dressing, potato salad, and beets. She was feisty, as attributed by her red hair, loved animals and fed all the stray animals and would take them in, and she loved to garden on the 3-acre plot growing tomatoes, corn, and flowers.

Funeral services will be held at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 North 3rd St., West Terre Haute, IN on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 1:00 PM, with Pastor Mike Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in Nyes Chapel Cemetery near Farmersburg. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to VNA Hospice of the Wabash Valley or the Terre Haute Humane Society, in her memory.

Online condolences can be left at: www.fitzpatrick-funeralhome.com