Dennis E. Petrimoulx

Dennis Earl Petrimoulx, of Essexville, Michigan passed away Sunday, August 19, 2012 at Bortz Health Care of West Branch in the loving arms of his wife, Joyce. Age 69 years. He was born in Jackson, Michigan on June 2, 1943, the son of the late Charles Petrimoulx and Ada Rosenbrook Logan whom he adored. He was raised in the Kawkawlin area. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. One of the greater events in his life was the birth of his son and only child, Troy Dennis Petrimoulx. He married Joyce LaForge on July 11, 1992, on Mackinaw Island and they shared a lovely marriage for twenty years. He believed strongly in the couplehood of marriage so where you found him, you found her. He suffered the rigors of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Diabetes and it pained both of them greatly when his care took him to West Branch. Joyce and their faithful dog, Freedom, stayed with Dennis three days and nights per week at Bortz, at which time Dennis and Joyce shared a ritual of "clicking wedding bands" acknowledging their love and commitment. Prior to his illness, Dennis was a long-haul semi-truck driver. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening, canning (which he taught to Joyce) and he was a wonderful cook. He was a caring person who possessed a warm, loving smile. He genuinely wanted to live forever! Dennis was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Essexville. He is survived by his wife Joyce, one son, Troy (Wendy) Petrimoulx, grandchildren; Dylan, Cassidy and Tyler of Rutland, Illinois; step-daughter; Stephanie (Brian) Kammerud and step-granddaughter; Alisen of Centuria, Wisconsin, brothers; Bob (Pam) Bates of Spring Arbor, Jim (Melinda) Logan of Lebanon, OH; sisters; Kathy (Terry) Tabor of Albion, Sandy (Bob) Dutton of Jackson, mother-in-law; Anna LaForge, Aunts; Donna Meylan, Marge Petrimoulx, Elaine Petrimoulx, Carol (Herb) Cielinski; many sisters-in-law; and brothers-in-law, and devoted friends; Dan Barker of Bentley, Mary Ellen and Ken Miller of Munger. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother; Brian Logan. The family would like to extend a special thanks to his caregivers at the Carriage House and Bortz Health Care of West Branch and his kind physician James Bodrie, M.D and also to Hospice of Helping Hands Inc. of West Branch. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday, August, 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church 614 Pine St. Essexville, MI 48732. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Ricky M. Varner with the Rite of Committal following in Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin, MI under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Wednesday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m.. The Vigil for the Deceased will take place Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Dennis will be taken to the church on Thursday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. and until the time of services. Those caring to express condolences may present offerings to Bortz Health Care of West Branch, who lovingly cared for Dennis when other facilities turned him away.