Barbara Dean (second from left) is pictured at the Dec. 31, 2016, swearing-in ceremony for county officials. Also pictured are (from left) Judge Greta Friedman, Judge Michael Bergerson (back), Judge Thomas Alevizos and Dean’s Chief Deputy Angie Rose. (Photo by Mike Kellems; click to enlarge)
LaPorte County Recorder Barbara Dean, just sworn in Dec. 31, 2016, to her fourth term, died unexpectedly at her home Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017. Dean had more than 20 years’ experience in LaPorte County government.
Dean served as recorder from 2000-2008, then left county government for several years before returning and being elected recorder in 2012, an office she has held ever since. In the November 2016 election, Dean, a Democrat, defeated Republican Earl Cunningham 21,747 votes to 21,649 votes.
The message from the sheriff’s office:
Dean is sworn in by Judge Alevizos on Dec. 31. (Photo by Mike Kellems; click to enlarge)
“The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is very saddened to learn that LaPorte County Recorder Barbara Dean passed away unexpectedly on Thursday at her home. Mrs. Dean was recently re-elected to the office of recorder. She attended the swearing in ceremony for county officials this past weekend which is where Captain Mike Kellems snapped a photo with Mrs. Dean, her chief deputy Angie Rose and the three judges who officiated the ceremony.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Dean’s family, friends and her colleagues in the county recorder’s office.”