THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
Dennis E. Kenney, Sr.
Issue Date: June 23, 2022
Dennis Eugene Kenney, Sr., 85, of Menominee, Mi., passed away Thursday, June 16 at home with family members by his side after a courageous battle with COPD and Cancer.
Known as Denny or Sarge, he and his wife, Jessica made Menominee their home after retiring from the Marine Corps after 22 years of service.
With a handshake from neighbor, Sheriff Dean Burns, he began serving as a Deputy Sheriff for 16 years followed by four years as Sheriff of Menominee County. He felt at home and was grateful that the good people of Menominee and surrounding counties accepted him into the community.
He treated people with respect and dignity while maintaining high moral standards, values he learned in the Marines Corp values he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
He will be missed by family, friends, and all who knew him. He spent younger years in Okinawa, Japan, Nicaragua and Vietnam. He trained as a Paratrooper and was responsible for dropping supplies to troops on the ground. He and his wife traveled by car regardless of the distance with his wife as navigator.
He retired as Gunnery Sergeant in 1975 having served at the tail end of the Korean War and also in the Vietnam War. He then became a recruiter for the Marines and was proud of those that enlisted to carry on this tradition.
Gentle but "tough love' that as teenagers didn't appreciate, he taught his children many lessons such as "Money don't grow on trees," and "Were you born in a barn?" But the advice we took to heart was to "Always remember when you are having a bad day, someone has it worse than you."
He was a faithful person and always talked to the Lord, thanking him for his family, praying for his children to keep them safe, for good health and a lifetime of happiness.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jessica (Chamberlain) Kenney; four children, Peggy (Tom) Wesoloski and Dennis Kenney Jr., both of Menominee, Debbie (Mark) Hebert of Green Bay and Pam (Tim) Hocevar of Bradenton, Fla.; nine grandchildren; four great-granddaughters;
Along with his parents, John Kenney and Ester (Kenney) Robertson, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Christian "CJ" Kenney; seven siblings; his father-in-law, Howard Chamberlain; mother-in-law, Anna (Hampton) Chamberlain and many other family members and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Parish, 1016 10th Ave, Menominee on Thursday, June 30 at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon. All are welcome! Bring a joke or story to share as we celebrate his extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name. Expressions of sympathy and kindness can be directed to his wife, Jessica. Cadieu Funeral Home of Menominee is assisting the family.