Dennis Poirier, Sr.

Dennis George Poirier, Sr. age 68 years of Dowagiac, Michigan, husband, father, cabinetmaker, outdoorsman, honorable veteran, and frequent partygoer died peacefully Wednesday morning, February 23, 2022 at his home following an extended illness.  His family is gratefull for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff.

He was born on April 23, 1953 in Mishawaka, Indiana to George and Willidean (Hall) Poirier.  He followed the careers of his parents as they moved to various locations, and in 1971 he enlisted in the United States Army.  He served most of his three-years obligation stateside, and was honorably discharged as a veteran of the Vietnam Era.  He returned to Peoria, Illinois and began a career as a cabinet maker.  He was employed in several woodworking shops including Freeman & Court.  He and his wife owned and operated their own shop, Jende, LLC for several years.  They came to Dowagiac in 2018 from Florida, and had lived in Nevada for several years, but had lived in the South Bend, Indiana area most of his life.

Dennis was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, camping, and spending time in the mountains where the sunsets were the best.  Camping was sometimes of the non-electric, primitive, tent-on-the-ground manner, even in the mountains, and even in the rain.  But camping sometimes also included enough electricity to power music and to provide cold beer.  He also enjoyed bonfires whether at home, or at the campground, or in the parking lot of the bar which combined friends, music, and beer – usually Bud, Busch, or Milwaukee’s Best, but more recently Natty Daddy – and Jack Daniels whiskey.

He also enjoyed his vocation as a hobby, completing woodworking projects and building furniture at home.  He was not a regular churchgoer, but he was a believer.  The night before his death – after a few non-responsive days – he opened his eyes and clearly stated that “there’s another world above ours, and it has lots of people in it.  I want to go.”  His wife voiced permission for him to do so, and within 24 hours, he had.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents.  He also experienced the grief of a 14-year-old son, Johnathon Poirier dying of an illness, the tragedy of a granddaughter, Trinity Williams dying in a motor vehicle accident, and then Trinity’s mother, Nicole Calder – another child of Dennis – dying far too young.  Also preceding in death are Dennis’ brother David Poirier and half-sister, Diana Poirier.

He was first married to Cindy Williams, and later to Francine Stephans.  On June 19, 2010 in Las Vegas he married the former Jennifer R. Grenert who survives.  Also surviving are Dennis’ sons, Michael (& Johanna) Poirier of Henderson, Nevada, Dennis Poirier, Jr. of Las Vegas, and Robert Poirier (& fiancée, Amy McManus) of Henderson; step-children, Sonja Personette, Paul Robledo, Michael Pratt, Sharon Pratt, and Kristy Pratt; fourteen grandchildren; a half-sister, Sandy (& Max) Flynn; and many  nieces and nephews.

The family of Dennis Poirier, Sr. will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  At 5:00 p.m. Full Military Honors will be offered by the United States Army Honor Guard, assisted by the American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.  Committal Rites will be later at Arlington National Cemetery.

The visitation and honors will be available livestreamed on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/ .  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

From Jennifer: Dennis loved his family, friends, and anyone he met throughout life.  His heart was so full for the near, or far, than anyone could imagine.  He loved the bar fights with friends, liked sharing stories with his grandchildren, or to do what made them happy at the moment.  Dennis is a legend you could follow, or learn from.  Cheers to a great father, husband, grandpa, and friend.