Dennis Erle Pelham

Dennis Erle Pelham, age 70, of Onsted passed away peacefully at home on March 20, 2022. Dennis was born in Adrian, MI on November 17, 1951 to the late Loudell and Mary Pelham. Dennis graduated from Jackson Community College in 1974 and joined the Peace Corps in 1976, spending 2 years in Nicaragua helping modernize local farming practices. There, he rode a horse named Jimmy Carter and met - and married - his wife Carmen. Upon returning to Onsted, Dennis spent his career as a reporter for the Adrian Daily Telegram until his retirement in 2016. In retirement, he volunteered at the Adrian REA Literacy Center, helping one young man earn a GED and another improve his English language skills. Dennis was a loving & involved father who adored his 2 kids, spending many hours playing basketball in the driveway, building a goal post in the back yard and sharing his love for movies, books and travel. He enjoyed taking his family on annual vacations, always by train. From the Grand Canyon to New York City, there was always something interesting to see. Later, he cherished spending time with his 3 grand children, showing them his favorite old cartoons & movies, taking them to ride tractors or to a parade. He once said about his 2-year-old grandson “Beckett and I think alike”.  He was preceded in death by his parents Loudell and Mary Pelham, brother, sister-in-law Karen Pelham and brother-in-law Charles Robinson. Dennis is warmly loved and missed by those who survive him: wife Carmen Pelham; daughter Leanna (Ryan) Weaver of Grand Rapids, MI; son Ryan (LeAnn) Pelham of Clovis, NM; Brothers Bill Pelham, Bud (Colleen) Pelham, Kris (Kathy) Pelham; Sisters: Linda Pelham, Susan Robinson and Nancy (Clyde) Dickerson; three grandchildren Beckett, Carter and Chloe. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Friday, March 25, 2022, at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI, with Pastor Tom McMichael officiating.  Burial will follow in Maple Shade Cemetery, Onsted, MI.  Visitation will also be on Friday from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM prior to the funeral service at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, MI.  In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Dennis’ honor to the Adrian REA Literacy Center (https://adrianrealiteracy.org/donate/)

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