Joseph E. Dennis Sr.

Joseph E. Dennis Sr., age 82, of Somerset, MI passed away May 22, 2021 at Henry Ford Alligence Hospital with family by his side. He was born February 8, 1939 in a tin roofed house in Prattville, MI to Donelden and Marvel Dennis. Joe graduated from Addison High School in 1958. Following graduation he served in the U.S. Army. On June 13, 1965 he married Sandra Jean Gove and she survives. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2015 and remained married until time of his departure. Joe and Sandy resided in Somerset, MI for 54 years where they raised their family. He attained his Associates Degree from Jackson Community College while working and raising his family. Joe worked at Tecumseh Products Co. for 33 years, and retired from Elm Plating. In the evenings and weekends Joe also ran a Plumbing repair business where he was known as “Plumber Joe” serving the Devils Lake area for many years. He was Boy Scoutmaster, little league baseball coach, and an avid spectator to his children and grandchildren’s events. He loved tinkering in his garage building not one but two “Trikes” which he enjoyed riding with Sandy. He enjoyed visiting northern Michigan as a family tradition during his life where he camped with his family. For the last 21 years Joe and Sandy enjoyed spending winters at their second home in Summerfield Florida. He loved working in his yard, especially riding his John Deer lawn mower where no dandelion was safe. Joe is preceded in death by father Donelden Dennis, Sr., mother Marvel Dennis, brother Don Dennis, sister Patricia Trine, and brother in law Dick Trine. Surviving in addition to his wife Sandra Dennis, are brother Jim (Lila) Dennis, sister in law Betsy Dennis, son Donald Dennis, son Douglas Dennis, Son Joseph Dennis Jr, Daughter Beth Sawdey and (raised as his sons) brother in law Michael (Leslie) Gove, and grandson Douglas Dennis Jr., grandchildren Carl, Tashina, Tiffany, Rick, Justice, Katie, and Dylan. 10 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grand daughter. Joe was an Uncle to many nieces and nephews and quoted by his kid’s childhood friends “as a second father to many of us and willingly opened his wings wider for whoever was there...’. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday June 12th, 2021, 12:00 noon, at the home of Mike & Leslie Gove 9551 Sutfin Rd.; Jerome, MI 49249 with a dinner to follow. Casual dress is requested. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to: Addison Kiwanis, Boy Scouts of America, American Legion Brooklyn MI.
 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Joseph E. Dennis Sr., please visit our Tree Store.