Dennis, Thomas Stanton – 1870-1952

BESACK, DENNIS, DREW

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:41

Thomas Dennis Dies, City Worker 36 Years
Dies at Age of 81 After Long Illness; Plan Rites Monday
Thomas Stanton Dennis, 81, who was a city employe for 36 years and had one of the longest records of service with the municipality, died early this morning at Skiff Memorial hospital.
Mr. Dennis was in ill health for nearly two and one-half years after suffering a heart attack which forced him to leave the city’s employ. He was with the water department and worked at the pumping station.
In his early days with the city, for which he started to work in 1913, Mr. Dennis fired the boilers for the old electric power plant. He lived at 414 South Third avenue West.
For many years he was a member of the volunteer fire department.
Mr. Dennis was born at Mooretown, Ohio on March 27, 1870, to John W. and Rebecca Jane Dennis. He came to Iowa in 1891 and made his home with a brother, Sam, near Laurel. On Dec. 7, 1898, he was married to Gertrude I. Besack in Newton.
The couple moved here in 1899 and lived in Newton ever since. Before going to work for the city, Mr. Dennis worked at the Maytag Co., the Parsons Co. and Merchants Transfer.
He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and served as banker of that organization here the last 10 years. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1948.
Survivors are his widow; one daughter, Mrs. Reginald (Gretchen) Drew of Los Angeles, Cal.; three granddaughters; three brothers, W. W. Dennis of Cleveland, D. L. of Carrolton and C. W. of Salineville, all in Ohio, and one sister, Jennie Dennis of Mechanicsville, Ohio.
A daughter, Dorothy, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at Johnson-Murdoch Funeral Home with burial in Newton Union cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. E. A. Briggs, pastor of First Methodist church.
Source: Newton Daily News; January 4, 1952

Final rites for Thomas Stanton Dennis, who died yesterday at the age of 81 after a long illness, will be held Monday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at Johnson-Murdoch funeral home.
Mr. Dennis was an employe of the city for 36 years until forced to quit two and one-half years ago because of ill health.
In charge of the services will be Rev. E. A. Briggs, pastor of First Methodist church. Music will be by Marion Welle, soloist, and Mrs. R. L. Jackson, organist.
In charge of flowers will be Mrs. Jasper Hatch, Mrs. Don Failor and Rosalind Annyas. Pallbearers will be John O’Leary, N. C. Shaver, B. F. Bolton, L. O. Gidley, Jasper Hatch and Louis Perry. Burial will be in Newton Union cemetery.
Source: Newton Daily News; January 5, 1952