Age 77, passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 with his loving family by his side. He was born on December 19, 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Stanley and Imogene (Powers) Nowakowski and lived his whole live in Southwest Michigan, primarily the Richland area. Following high school, Dean began working at  the UpJohn Company and retired after 41 years of service, as an Animal Technician.  On May 31, 1975, he married the love of his life, Diana Happel, most recently celebrating 43 years of marriage.  Dean worked many long hours and was truly a man with a phenomenal work ethic, instilling this in his children and teaching them along the way. He was a dedicated, salt of the earth man and loved his family more than anything. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Bernie and sister Carol, along with his brothers in law, Bill Harvey, John Simkins and Steve Kimberlin. He leaves to cherish his memory, Diana and their three children: Amanda “Mandy” Nowakowski of Richland, Jennifer Munting of Portage and Adam (Michelle) Nowakowski of Kalamazoo. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brynn and Zoey Munting of Portage, as well as his brothers and sisters, Leroy (Judy) Nowakowski; Hurlon (Dorla) Nowakowski; Joyce Harvey; Norman Jean Lux; Karen Simkins; Gale Kimberlin and Ivan (Diane) Nowakowski and brother in law, Ed (Mary) Happel, and several nieces and nephews.