Mary Evelyn Dennis, of Niles
Published 9:26 am Monday, January 4, 2016
May 7, 1936 — Jan. 1, 2016
Mary Evelyn Dennis, 79, of Niles, died peacefully Friday morning, Jan. 1, 2016, in the presence of her family, in the Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis.
Mary Evelyn Dennis
She was born May 7, 1936, in Toledo, Ohio, to Julius and Catherine (Schisler) Gempel, the middle child of seven children. She married James Frank Dennis Jan. 18, 1957 in Angola, Indiana. Married for 56 years, he preceded her in death in 2013. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Kevin Dennis; one sister, Sally Dawson; and one brother, William Gempel.
Mary will be remembered for her crocheting. She and her husband had enjoyed gardening and yard work. She and her husband each had their own riding lawnmowers. Mary did a lot of baking. She was not afraid of trying new crafts and would try something new every few years. She and her son took their motorcycle endorsement road tests at the same time. More than anything, Mary enjoyed her children and grandchildren.
Mary will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Scott and Stacy Dennis of Cassopolis, Kent and Vilma Dennis of Plano, Texas; three grandchildren, Donovan Dennis, Amy Jaye Dennis and Abby Lynn Dennis; one sister, Patty Tuttle of Owosso, Michigan; three brothers, Jack (wife, Nan) Gempel of Columbus, Ohio, Charles (wife, Diane) Gempel and Tom Gempel, both of Toledo, Ohio; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for a time of reflection and visitation in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis. Mrs. Dennis will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, James Dennis, in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan, Michigan at 2 p.m.
The family prefers contributions be made in Mary’s memory to Cass County Medical Care Facility Auxiliary, 23770 Hospital Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, in gratitude for the wonderful care the staff afforded Mary.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.
