Dean W. Barickman, Jr.

Dean W. Barickman, Jr., age 79, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

Per Dean's wishes, there will be no visitation or service. His cremated remains will be interred in Jackson Cemetery, Coitsville, Ohio.

Dean was born on May 4, 1943, the son of Dean and Anne (McConnell) Barickman, in Columbus, Ohio. He is survived by his older sister Judy Caywood, of Berlin Heights, Ohio.

Growing up in Columbus, Dean attended and graduated from Medary Avenue Elementary, Crestview Junior High, and North High Schools. (1949-1962)

After high school, he joined his parents already living in Illinois in 1962. Here he attended Elgin Community College (earning an AA degree), Illinois State University (BS in social studies and English), and Northern Illinois State University (M.A. in Chinese and modern European history).

For 27 years, Dean taught social studies and English at Ottawa Township High School (1966-1993). For nine years he designed and supervised building the stage sets for the school's fall plays and spring musicals. For four years, he did the same, donating his time to the Ottawa Youth Center's summer musicals.

In 2007, Dean donated his 11,000 plus collection of Disney memorabilia to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, CA. Later he would donate 14,382 World War II letters to Chapman University's Leatherby Library/Archives located in Orange, CA. Finally, he would donate several items to the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum - several early 1950's items from his sister's time in Brownies and the Girl Scouts and from his time in the Boy Scouts of America.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pet Project, Inc. Marseilles, Illinois.

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