Dennis Curtis

Dennis LeRoy Curtis, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, churchman, golfer, and Cubs fan died unexpectedly at 10:47 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 with his family gathered around in the Emergency Room of Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana of natural causes.

He was born on August 19, 1939 in Niles to Everett C. and Nora M. (Stoops) Curtis and was graduated from Niles High School.  He competed in the Michigan Golden Gloves amateur boxing league, winning the 1958 State Championship, Lightweight Division.  As a young man he began his career as a machinist at Bertrand Products in Niles, and later continued that career at National-Standard in Niles from which he retired.  He also served in the United States Army Reserve.  He has lived in Niles all of his life.

Dennis was formerly an active member of the Berrien Center Bible Church, and more recently been active at Summit Church in Niles, often serving as an usher or greeter.  He enjoyed golfing, usually at Niles Plym Park Golf Course on the National-Standard league and a senior league.  He participated in annual deer hunts in the northern Lower Peninsula and closer to home.  He was a great fan of baseball, serving as a volunteer coach for a women’s church league, and for his grandson’s youth league, and a loyal fan of The Cubs.  He and his wife enjoyed annual May visits to Treasure Island, Florida.

On July 14, 1962 in Berrien Springs, Michigan he married the former Kathlene Florence Sherwood with whom he celebrated last year the remarkable fifty-seventh anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Kathlene Curtis and their children, Diane Curtis of Benton Harbor, Michigan and Trina (& Jay) Dressander of Saint Joseph, Michigan; grandchildren William Powers and Halie Powers; step-grandsons Michael Dressander, Adam Dressander, and Noah Dressander; and Dennis’ brother, Gary (& Susan) Curtis of Iowa City, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Nora Curtis and by a sister, Linda Simpson.

The funeral service for Dennis Curtis will be attended by his immediate family at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with the Rev. Daniel Miller of Summit Church officiating.  Relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited to witness the ceremony via the livestreamed broadcast available on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/ .  Committal will be private on Monday at Mission Hills with Rev. Miller officiating and will conclude with the Veteran's Flag Presentation and "Taps".

Contributions in memory of Dennis may be made to Summit Church, 1700 West River Road, Niles, MI, 49120; https://summitniles.com/ .  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

As a member of the Silent Generation, Dennis was quietly a faithful employee, civilian soldier, and devout Christian.  He enjoyed being outdoors to hunt, golf, and follow baseball.  Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.