Dean Birt

Memorial Services for Dean Birt will be held at the First Baptist Church in Oxford, Nebraska on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastors Brian Jenkins and Dallas Johnson officiating.  Inurnment will be in the Oxford Cemetery prior to the services at 9:30 a.m. with military honors provided by the Oxford American Legion Post #219 in conjunction with the U.S. Navy Military Honors Team.

Phillip "Dean" Birt, 87 years of age, of Oxford passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at the CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska.  Dean was born October 21, 1927 in Oxford, the youngest of four children born to Harry and Gertrude (Horton) Birt.  He received his education in Oxford, graduating with the Oxford High School class of 1945.

Dean was inducted into the U.S. Navy on February 14, 1946 until his honorable discharge on December 16, 1947 and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

On June 22, 1958, Dean was united in marriage to Jean (Furse) Sailors at the Christian Church in Alma, Nebraska. Dean welcomed Jean's three children into his life. Dean and Jean were then blessed with a daughter, Kelli Ann. The Birt's made their home in Oxford, where Dean was the Parts Manager at the Chevy Garage.  He and Jean then owned and operated the Oxford Café for many years.  Dean also served as a Crop Adjuster for over 20 years. In later years, he served as a longtime funeral assistant for the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford. Jean passed away on April 2, 2013.

Dean was an avid Husker football fan and season ticket holder, he enjoyed golfing with many friends and attending his grandchildren's activities. Dean was a member of the First Baptist Church in Oxford, past member of the Oxford Fire Department for 33 years, where he also served as Fire Chief. Dean was also a former mayor and city councilman of Oxford for 14 years, served on the Oxford School Board and was a member of the American Legion Post #219.

Besides his parents and wife, Jean; Dean was preceded in death by one brother, H. Duane Birt, Jr. and his wife, Lois; two sisters: Faye Stevens and her husband, Hal and Mildred "Billie" Garrison and her husband, Art.

Dean leaves to mourn his passing; his two sons: Tom Birt and his wife, Teresa of Santa Monica, California, Grady "Jerry" Birt and his wife, Caroline of Burbank, California; two daughters: Gaye McCallum and her husband, Doug of Eagle, Nebraska, Kelli Urbanek and her husband, Tom of Kearney; seven grandchildren: Nick Birt, Lindsay Tallman, Adam Pleas, Caitlin Pleas, Micah Urbanek, McKenna Urbanek and Noah Urbanek; seven great-grandchildren: Hadley Pleas, Madison Tallman, Emma Tallman, Coleton Tallman, Delaney Tallman, Alex Birt and Bailey Birt; one brother-in-law, Bob Furse and his wife, Marilyn of Phoenix, Arizona; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Memorial book signing will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home at Oxford.

A memorial will be established in Dean's honor and kindly suggested to First Baptist Church of Oxford, the Oxford Country Club or the Oxford American Legion Post #219.

Expressions of caring and kindness may be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.