Dennis W. Edwards

Dennis Walter Edwards, born in Detroit, Michigan on July 2, 1945 was the fourth of five children (Ted, Richard, Jack, Dennis, and Sylvia) to Ted and Eleanor Edwards. As a young man still in high school, he fell in love with the girl that would become his wife of 56 years, Nancy (Bawol) Edwards. Shortly after graduation, Dennis was drafted into the Marines and served his country working as a helicopter refueling specialist in Chu Lai, Vietnam. At home, Nancy’s worry and prayers were rewarded when, ten days after his return from Vietnam, the high school sweethearts were married. The ceremony was held on June 9, 1967, at St. Clemens in Center Line, MI. As the young couple started their life together, Dennis started his engineering career. The couple was soon blessed with their first child, a son they named Dennis, followed by a daughter, Carolynn, two years later. The couple bought their home in Warren in 1974 and settled into family life.

Dennis was an avid and skilled golfer and bowler. For years, spring, summer, and fall, he could be found on a golf course somewhere playing in an outing or league. Winter was a time for bowling tournaments, where he often took home a trophy and bragging rights and bowled on numerous leagues at many of the area’s alleys. He hunted with family and friends for many years in the woods of Evert, MI. He enjoyed spinning a good story, cracking a joke, and sharing a beer or a meal with family and friends. Dennis and Nancy traveled with their children when the family was young and as their children grew, they continued to enjoy their love of travel whether they were visiting the beaches of Hawaii or Florida, sightseeing in New York City, or enjoying all that California or Texas had to offer.

In 2003, Dennis transitioned from his role at MSX International, where he worked as an engineer designing automated assembly equipment for the automotive industry. His retirement offered the opportunity to spend more time with his grandchildren. In 2001, Dennis became a grandpa for the first time when his daughter, Carolynn, blessed the family with granddaughter, Maddison, and his joy doubled in 2002 when his second granddaughter, Valerie, was born. As the granddaughters grew, Dennis could often be found cheering whichever basketball, volleyball, softball, cross country, or soccer game that was on the granddaughters’ schedule. When he was not busy with grandkids, he could often be found visiting with a niece or nephew or heading out to dinner with Nancy and their friends. Dennis celebrated the addition of grandchildren, Sarah and Emma, and great-grandson, Isaiah, after his son, Dennis married Kristi in 2015.

Dennis passed after a long battle with chronic lung issues, at the age of 78, on November 19. 2023. Dennis will be dearly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren, brothers- and sisters-in-law and his many nieces, nephews, and friends. And while he is no longer with us, his stories, his love, and his smile will live on in the hearts and memories of all those who loved him.

Visitation Sunday, November 26th from 2pm until 8pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home in Warren. Dennis will lie in state on Monday, November 27th at 11:30am until time of Funeral Service at 12pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 32000 Schoenherr Road, in Warren. Burial immediately following at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ahpwarren.com for the Edwards family.