Eldon "Dean" Horner, 97, of Ponca City, OK, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025 at Renaissance Assisted Living in Ponca City, OK. He was born June 15, 1927in Havensville, KS, the son of Raymond Lee and Veda Lorene (McKinsey) Horner.

Dean graduated from Holton High School in 1945 and from Kansas State University with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1948 with the 7th Infantry.

He lived in the Ponca City community since 1956. He worked for Conoco in the Central Engineering Department as a Mechanical Designer; retiring after 29 years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK and a life-time member of the Holton V.F.W. Post 1367.

Dean married Martha Rose DeBusk on September 4, 1949. They celebrated over 61 years of marriage before her passing on January 10, 2010. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Horner and Veda Smith; 2 sisters, June Longo and Wilma Anderson and brother, Jack Horner.

Survivors include his son, Brian Horner (Kathy) of Edmond, OK; daughter, Katherine Burton (Tim) of Belton, MO and 2 grandchildren, Kelsey Horner Everitt (Jason) and Emily Horner French (Jason) and 1 great-granddaughter, Brynlee Horner.

Graveside Service with Military Honors, conducted by Holton V.F.W Post 1367, will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to the Holton V.F.W. Post 1367 c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.