Dennis L. Bemis, 75, of Beaver Dam, WI and formerly of Rockford, IL, passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 8:40 am after a long battle with colon cancer. He ended his journey at home on the lake with his daughter by his side, just the way he wanted.
Dennis was born on June 23, 1947 the son of Orris Bemis and Florence (Jones) Bemis in Janesville, WI. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1965. He served in the United States Navy 1966-1970, where he met his wife, Carmelita (Sarte) Bemis of 49 years in the Philippines. They were United in marriage on April 23, 1970.
Dennis was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on January 11, 1976 along with his wife. They were one of the first to be baptized at the Janesville Assembly Hall. He resided in Rockford, IL 1971-2019, then moved in with his daughter in Beaver Dam, WI.
Dennis was a very hard-working man, always striving to support his family. He loved music, airplanes, lakes, the zoo, parks, and animals. He enjoyed fishing, cooking, mowing on the John Deere rider, burning in the fire pit, playing board and card games, all you can eat buffets, and traveling. He took his family on many trips.
He is dearly missed by his daughter’s dogs: Gabby the pit bull and Blaze the Black Lab Retriever.
Survived by daughter: Penny Lyn Sarte Bemis, and extended family through marriage: stepdaughter Federlita Roque, stepson Johnet Isidro, step daughter-in-law Rowena Espino Isidro, special niece Gerle Lucas Sarte along with her sons Johnder Candelaria, Jonas Candelaria, and Jerome Candelaria; step grandchildren: Kamille Espino Isidro, Kyle James Espino (Rina) Isidro, Kim Johnet Espino Isidro, Rhia Isidro Carbonel, Geraldine Pestano, Gederline Pestano (Jonathan) Soto, step great grandchildren: Kenzo Valmonte Isidro, Zia I. Tolentino, Johnyx Tolentino, Athea Zyra I. Dela Cruz, Nigel Xian, Geronne Tan, Jhrisline Joy Soto, Jonaline Sophia Soto, Cedric Macuja, and Lourence Macuja
Preceded in death by wife, Carmelita, father Orris Orrin Bemis, mother Florence Mae (Jones) Bemis, and step mother Jeannette A. (Janson) Bemis
Special thanks to Mike Harris, Bruce Stewart, the Beaver Dam Congregation, Hillside Hospice, Dr. Dustin Deming and Nurse Practitioner Jenna Wilke at UW Health Carbone Cancer Center, the chemotherapy nurses at UW Health 1 South Park location, as well as all the love and support from all his spiritual brothers and sisters and friends through the years
A memorial service will be held in person and via Zoom on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 1:00 pm. In person service will be held at North/Riverside Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3645 Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL 61101 with Mike Harris officiating. Please contact pennybemis@gmail.com after September 24 for Zoom information.
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