Dennis W. Nelson

Dennis Wayne Nelson, 85, passed away March 27, 2026, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Freedom Center Church, 2473 Shiawassee Ave., Fenton, MI, with Pastor James Wiegand officiating and military honors conducted. A luncheon will follow immediately after the service. Interment will take place after the luncheon at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday April 10, 2026, from 3-8pm at Sharp Funeral Home, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton, MI, and on Saturday at the church from 10:00am until time of the funeral service. Contributions in Dennis’ memory are welcomed to Freedom Center Church-Kingdom Builders Program or to the Fenton Township Fire Department.

Dennis, also known as “Chief” or the “Miracle Man” was born January 29, 1941, in Alma, MI. He was the son of Wayne Herbert Nelson and Nina Marie Wright Nelson. Preceding him in death are his mother, father, stepfather Wilbert Wilcox, sister Peggy Wilcox and grandson-in-law Aaron Buda.

He was joined in marriage to Jeanne C. Malin on February 18, 1984. He had two children, Julie Nelson and Dennis (Amanda) Nelson, Jr. He was blessed with 4 grandchildren, Jennifer Buda, Adam Smerkar, Zachary Emerson and Cody Nelson: three brothers Lawrence (Tootie) Nelson, James (Phyllis) Nelson and Robert Nelson as well as brothers-in-law David (Ilene) Malin and Douglas (Susan) Malin and many nieces and nephews.

Dennis loved his country and was a proud U.S. Army Veteran and served for 36 years. He served from June 1965-June 1967, in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis and worked as a personnel clerk in the base hospital. He transferred to the Michigan Army National Guard in June of 1967and retired in 2001 as a Chief Warrant Officer IV of the First Battalion 125th Infantry Regiment. He was the Battalion Property Book Officer in charge of all equipment. He always jokingly said he was responsible for the “beans, bullets and blankets.”

Dennis loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart and soul; his wife Jeanne of 42 years and his children, grandchildren, relatives and many friends. He especially enjoyed spending time and playing with the children. He would help anyone in need and was generous with his time, talents and finances. He will especially be missed for his quick wit and great sense of humor.

He was a member of the Freedom Center Church in Fenton and the American Legion of Fenton. He served on the board of the regional committee of Habitat for Humanity and was a proud Past-President of the Auburn Jaycee’s. He was a member of the Arbor Day Foundation for 42 years. He was a long-time member of the National Republican Committee and worked many elections at the Fenton Township Voting Polls.

Dennis was a man of many hobbies and interests. He was a talented painter who loved to paint buildings, barns and scenery. He loved golf, bowling, fishing, deer hunting, camping and the University of Michigan. He loved Nature and maintained a beautiful yard of two acres where he planted many trees.

Special thanks go the Gentiva Hospice Staff for their loving care, and to Saed J. Sahouri, M.D., for his sage advice. Also to Matt Gale for the hours he spent with Dennis weekly for the past year, Ann Young’s nursing help and Pat Mossman’s hundreds of hours of visits and support.