OBITUARY
Dean Arthur Koehlinger
NOVEMBER 25, 1944 – MARCH 31, 2023
IN THE CARE OF
D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley
Dean Koehlinger, 78 of Indianapolis, passed on March 31, 2023, joining his wife of 36 years, Diane, in eternal life. He was born on November 25, 1944 in Fort Wayne where he lived the first 72 years of his life.
Dean attended Indiana University where he was President of his fraternity, Kappa Delta Rho, and a member of the Union Board, graduating in 1966. Dean then joined and later owned the family bicycle business, into which he poured his heart, Koehlinger Cycling and Fitness, expanding to include a commercial fitness business, Fitness by Koehlinger. Dean was a loving husband and father, a generous friend, and a philanthropist. He was a member and served as President of Pine Valley Country Club, Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, the 100% Club, and his neighborhood association.
He was perpetually positive and loved to give to his community, play golf, cheer on his kids and grandkids in their activities and root for his favorite sports teams (go Cubs go!). Dean never met a stranger and loved to make others laugh.
Dean is survived by his 3 children, Sara (Derek) Kulwicki of Zionsville, Matt (Sarah) Koehlinger of Avon, and Jill (Steve) Hackman of Zionsville; his brothers, James and David; sister, Janice; 5 grandchildren, Andrew, Samantha, Anna, Michael, and Olivia; and several nieces and nephews.
Dean is preceded in death by his wife, Diane; parents, Winston and Della; brother, Allen; and sister, Judith.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM on April 10th, 2023, with a funeral service to follow at 5:00 PM at D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. In lieu of gifts, please send any memorial contributions to Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the Koehlinger family.
Sandra Beyer (Killila)
Losing Dean is an almost incomprehensible loss. He seemed to me to be a person who would not die. When we learned he was ill I thought somehow he'd make it. He missed Diane terribly and his family was his world. He always left his spirit on anything he did. He was much loved and celebrated. He was truly unique. We were lucky to have known him. Mr. Buls is waiting to say, "Uh, Dean," so Dean can say in answering, "Uh, yes?"Robert Gugel
I must say I was saddened when I picked up my email today and read about Dean's passing. Dean and I went back a long time - kindergarten at Bethlehem. We used to pal around playing basketball on his driveway. I was always amazed how well he played. He never considered that he had a handicap, and he always had a quip when some little kid would ask what happened to him. I always enjoyed his sense of humor. After high school some of the guys would get together during holidays back in Fort Wayne and share a lot of laughs and their different experiences in college. That was always a lot of fun.
After college I moved to California so I didn't have any communication that I can recall during that time. 12 years ago, my wife Terry and I moved to Panamá, so we were even farther removed from Indiana. When the 50th reunion came up, we managed to join my old classmates. It was extra special to see Dean and everyone else. What a trip to have the Blazers back together again. It felt like time had just flashed by and we were back in 1962.
I was fortunate to again make the trip for the 55th reunion. This will remain especially imbedded in my memory as this was the last time I was with Dean and Kathy Albers Dowden who also was in kindergarten with me and was my next-door neighbor. As it turned out I was seated at the same table with Dean and Cherie Lehman Stark who were the emcees of the event, so I feel blessed that I was able to spend quality time with Dean and have a few more shared laughs with him. I feel blessed that I could call him a friend even though separated for so many years. Yet in the end those friendships remain strong, and I look forward to joining him in our heavenly home.