DENNIS KARL GEHRES
I, Dennis Karl Gehres, have kicked the bucket. I was able to stay in my home until the end because of the great teamwork from my amazing family. I’m the lucky one, I’m in heaven, but I leave behind many fond memories and family and friends. On Earth I enjoyed hunting, golfing, bowling, swimming, horseback riding, sleigh riding, playing baseball, basketball, football, and cutting many loads of firewood; all while spending precious time with my family and friends. Just being outside in God’s beauty was always refreshing. I was born on Nov. 3, 1940 and left this earth on Nov. 19, 2020.
My various jobs started when I was a young teenager delivering The Alpena News for about four years from my bicycle to 80 customers in and around Lincoln. During my high school summers I also worked for Elmer Deller on Wurtsmith AFB as a construction laborer and for French and Lorraine Bates as a stock boy at their Lakeside Party Store in Lincoln.
After my high school graduation in 1959, myself and three other friends, Carl Moore, Bill Green, and Bob Krumbach went to work for the old Tool and Dye shop in Harrisville (just north of the State Park) for about two years. I then went to work for Garnet Steadman at Steadman Brothers in Harrisville where I was their bookkeeper for six years. During the last two years at Steadman Brothers, I also had a part-time job at the Alcona County Courthouse as the address-o-graph.
In the mid-60s, the State of Michigan passed a law that each county must have an Equalization Director. So, on Jan. 2, 1966, I began my lifelong career for the County until I retired in 2004 after 38 years. During those 38 years, I also had many jobs as assessor and often worked with all the Alcona County Township Supervisors and County Commissioners.
I was a longtime member of the Lincoln United Methodist Church, where I served as treasurer for many years.
I leave behind my beautiful wife of 59 years, Lois Ann (Dunn) Gehres, one sister, Gail (Gehres) Frusti of Norco, California, five children, Tina Gehres of San Diego, California, Kathy (Gehres) and Rusty Hale of Harrisville Michigan, Deborah (Gehres) and Craig Mulligan of Middleville, Michigan, Steven Gehres and Julie Anderson of Middleville, Michigan, and John Gehres of Gwinn, Michigan; many grandchildren, James Kinnee and Tori Volmer, Aaron Kinnee and Cindy Perez, Kelly (Kinnee) and Wayne Harper, Russell and Chantal Hale, Michael Torz, Nicole Gehres, Tyler Gehres, Jordan Gehres and Thomas Pajor, Adam Gehres, Madison Gehres, and Abigail Gehres, four great-grandchildren, Lilly Harper, Dakota, Drake, and Delilah Hale.
I was preceded in death by my parents, Sylvia (Lasanen) and Leonard Gehres, and my younger brother Gary.
I want all to know that I truly enjoyed my life and God Bless You.
Graveside services will be held Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at 4 p.m. at Twin Lakes Cemetery in Lincoln. Rev. Martha Hartman Stuart will officiate. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Michigan.