Lee Arden Dennis

Lee Arden Dennis 76, of Jamestown, passed away of an extended illness, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at his home.

Lee was born May 17, 1936, a son of the late Karl F. Dennis and Helen Lupher Dennis of Conneaut Lake. He was born in Meadville’s City Hospital, the first of his siblings to be born in a hospital.

On June 18, 1954 he did “the best and most important thing” of his life, he married Wilma Skelton of Adamsville and Greenville. She survives.

Lee attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Conneaut Lake while growing up. He graduated from Conneaut Lake High School in 1954. While in school he worked at the family business, M R Dennis & Sons lumber yard on North Third Street, Conneaut Lake. Many years later he restored the original 1939 Ford truck used at that business.

Lee held various jobs and owned several business over the years. He operated the Quaker State Service Station at First and 322. He worked at Riemann’s Marine Service, and rebuilt ferry boats for Lloyd Holland. Lee owned a Saab Automobile Agency on the northeast side of the lake and was a general manager of Motivation Inc. a car dealership about a mile west of Conneaut Lake.

Lee and Wilma worked side by side to build their home near Jamestown, in the middle of the woods, next to a ravine with a bubbling stream. It was a labor of love that they both enjoyed tremendously. They spent many happy years together there and resided in their home where Lee passed away.

He was a founding member and held the office of treasurer for the Conneaut Lake Alumni Association. He was also a member of the Conneaut Lake Historical Society. Lee was honored in the spring of 2011 for his leadership in restoring the Barber Cemetery just south of town where his Dennis ancestors are buried.

In addition to his parents, Lee is preceded in death by a brother, Donald Alan Dennis, and a sister, Sylva (Sib) Dennis Williams both of Conneaut Lake. He is survived by a brother, Martin R. Dennis of Boise, Idaho; and a sister Lois (Dean) Dennis Davidson and her husband Clarence (Dave) Davidson of Niles, Ohio, brother-in-law Darwin Williams of Conneaut Lake and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

At Lee’s request, cremation and burial at Lakeside Cemetery, Conneaut Lake will be arranged by the Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, Inc., Conneaut Lake.  There will be no funeral services but a Celebration of Life to be held in his home for close friends and close family members only.

Special thanks go to his principal caregivers Marie Schlosser (niece) and Jennifer Arnett (great niece) and all the other caregivers who provided comfort and support.

Memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net