Dennis William Marshall, Sr., 71, of Johannesburg, MI passed away at his home on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.
Dennis was born in Wayne, MI on July 11, 1946, the son of Harold & Phyllis Marshall. He had lived in Johannesburg for the past 31 years and prior to that time had a seasonal cabin in the same area.
He retired as a Captain on the City of Westland Fire Department, after 23 years of service. Prior to that he served on the Inkster Fire Department for 2 years. He began his career as a meat cutter and managed the meat department at Fil-Mar Foods, also in Westland, MI.
He was appointed as a Court Officer at the 18th District Court in Westland, MI in January of 1975, a position he held until his passing. He was also an agent at Don’s Northland Real Estate in Gaylord, one of his many part-time jobs.
Dennis enjoyed the outdoors and had a passion for hunting and fishing. Most important in his life was family and friends, and he especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.
He was a member of Johannesburg Christian Church, Michigan Bear Hunters Association and Safari Club International.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Deborah, son, Dennis Marshall, II and his wife Belkis, 2 grandsons, Trevor and Derrick and granddaughter, Elyse of Taylor. He is also survived by his mother, Phyllis Marshall, brother, David Marshall and sister, Laurel Marshall all of Westland, MI.
A memorial luncheon honoring Dennis will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Charlton Township Hall in Johannesburg, MI.
Contributions in his honor may be made through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734 to the following charities:
Westland Firefighters Charity Fund (please make checks payable to Westland Firefighters Charity Fund)
Michigan Bear Hunters Association (please make checks payable to MBHA)
5 comments on “Marshall, Sr., Dennis William”
Dennis was a great friend and fellow firefighter. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and anyone who heard of his exploits during his life. Dennis always had a story to tell and if you knew him well, you knew that the stories were probably true. If you were a friend of Dennis’s you are a friend for life.
Our thoughts are with Debbie, David and the entire Marshall family.
The legend of ‘Mush’ as Dennis was known to his friends, will live on.
I knew Dennis from both high school and as Westland public safety careers, He with the FD and I with the PD Dennis was an outstanding fire fighter, a good and true comrade, and will be missed by all who knew him. Rest easy, my friend
Dennis “Mush” was certainly one of a kind. If Dennis was your friend, you had a friend. I had a long conversation with him just a few months ago when he inquired about my recent heart surgery. We discussed many subjects, old WFD stories, hunting, grandkids (he loves you all very, very much}, and both of our health problems, He was sincerely pleased that I was making a speedy recovery from open heart surgery (a quint} and promised to get together the next time I ventured up North or if he passed through going to Florida. The most wonderful subject we discussed was that he and Debbie had accepted Jesus as Savior and had been baptized by his Son. Dennis said he understood the enormity of that decision and said he was doing his best to please the Lord, He and I were both excited. Of course, neither of us had any idea he would be in the presence of Jesus so soon. Please pray for Debbie, his Son Slush, grandchildren, and all his loved ones who will greatly miss him, but rejoice for Dennis! Dennis, in his last years, discovered the true meaning of life, a relationship with his Creator. Dennis is now reaping the eternal rewards of his accepting the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of GOD. I know you are “resting in peace” Brother. We will meet again someday..
God Bless those who are left behind and peace to Dennis.
A Junior High and High School friend and a co-worker at the City of Westland. Lots of memories. RIP Dennis and prayers to the family.