Dean Bern Brauer

Dean Bern Brauer, 91, a current resident of Providence Place, Pottsville, PA, and a lifelong resident of Peoria, Illinois, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 24, 2025.

Dean was born January 18, 1934 in Staunton, Illinois to Louis and Alma Brauer.

Dean excelled at just about everything. He was an All-American basketball player at Eastern Illinois University and still ranks among the top all-time scorers and rebounders in school history. Dean had a passion for the outdoors and spent countless hours hunting the farm fields and fishing the strip pits of central Illinois with prolific success.

He was a CLU and Senior NYLIC with the New York Life Insurance Company and Mainstay Funds for over 60 years.

He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Dean was preceded in death by his son, Jason Matthew, his wife, Cindy, his brothers Eldred, Robert, and Loren, and his sister, Ruth Ann.

He is survived by his three children: Christopher Brauer (Johanna) of Orwigsburg, PA, Mischa Strong (Chris) of Brighton, CO, and Toby Brauer (Nicole) of Mount Pleasant, SC; and grandchildren Jason Dean, Olivia, Eva, Nathaniel, Tahlia, Lexi, Brigitte, Sophie, Toby Jr., and Alexander.

Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Jason Matthew Brauer Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o The University of Illinois Foundation, 1305 Green St., Champaign, IL 61801.