Dennis was born in Flint, Michigan in 1952 to Morris Pelon and Veronica Knoblauch Pelon. He, along with his seven brothers and sisters, grew up in Flint, Michigan where he attended Holy Rosary High School. After High School, Dennis took some time to travel - even hitchhiking his way across the country! He returned to Michigan to continue his education and earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan, his Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Central Michigan University and his Ph. D. in Clinical Neuropsychology from the Florida Institute of Technology. He completed a Postdoctoral Internship in Clinical Neuropsychology at Midland Hospital.
While at Central Michigan University, he met his wife, Donna who was also pursuing a degree in Clinical Psychology. They married in Mt. Pleasant while still graduate students. After graduation in 1977, they moved to Lansing and both worked for Community Mental Health...Donna in Lansing and Dennis in Flint. They decided to make their permanent home in Haslett and had two sons, Dylan and Devan. Dennis exposed his sons to everything outdoors and taught them all they know about nature...camping, kayaking canoeing, fishing, and more. He taught both boys how to play hockey and golf and also became the Best Goalie Dad Coach by learning every facet of the position to coach both of them to high levels of hockey. To this day, they both love the outdoors and play in adult hockey leagues.
After starting a family, Dennis started his private practice, Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Services as well as doing hospital consults on all the geriatric and psychiatric hospital wards in Lansing. During his years in private practice, he earned a reputation for being one of the best clinical neuropsychologists in the state with frequently being asked to provide second and expert opinions. After 30 years in private practice, Donna retired and Dennis started working at Lansing Institute of Behavioral Medicine where he started, “Hawaiian Shirt Fridays” to spread joy to those that were working on Fridays when others were heading out for the weekend. It caught on with staff and became a weekly tradition. Thus, the theme of his Celebration of Life. He also began his second career as a Yoga therapist which he absolutely loved and was known for his chants and wishes of Namaste. He semi-retired and went on to close his career at the Wellness Center in Okemos.
Dennis's passion for both work and play will be greatly missed by so many, but especially his family. He is survived by his wife, Donna; his sons, Dylan and Devan; his grand daughter, Riley; as well as his mother, Veronica; brothers, Steven and Mark; and sisters, Cynthia, Claudette and Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his father, Morris and his brother, Greg.
A celebration of life for Dennis will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM, with a two-hour prior visitation from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823. The family invites those in attendance to wear Hawaiian-themed attire in honor of Dennis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will occur on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM, with a half-hour prior visitation from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, at St. Martha Catholic Church, 1100 W Grand River Ave., Okemos, MI 48864.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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