Dennis R. Dessecker

Dennis R. Dessecker, 83, of 33 Delft Circle, Olmsted Township, Ohio and formerly of Dover, Elyria, Ohio and Ft. Myers, Florida died Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at the Renaissance Health Center following a brief illness.

Born March 13, 1930 in New Philadelphia, Ohio, he was the son of the late Karl H. and Ada M. (Durbin) Dessecker.

Dennis graduated from Dover High School Class of 1949 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy Reserves from 1951-58 and active duty during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 in aviation as part of a flight crew on reconnaissance aircraft. He then attended Kent State University graduating in 1962 with a BSBA degree in transportation. He started his management career with Roadway Express, Akron, Ohio in 1962-73 to become a terminal manager in Toledo, Ohio, St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago, Ill.

Dennis moved to Hagerstown, Maryland in 1973 to become Regional Manager for Ryder Truck Lines. In 1978 he was promoted to Vice President Northern Division and served in its capacity for the next 10 years. In 1988, Dennis left Ryder to become Director of Transportation with National College Stores in Oberlin, Ohio where he developed a Freight program which benefitted all college stores throughout the United States thus saving the stores millions of dollars in freight costs. He retired from NACS in 1995.

Dennis was a life member of the former Dover Elks lodge and a member of the First Church in Oberlin, Ohio. He was an avid boater and fisherman.

He will be sadly missed by his family including his wife of 28 years, Jean A. Goodrich Dessecker; a son, Douglas R. Dessecker of Frederick, Maryland; daughter, DeeAnn J. Dessecker of San Diego, California; four stepchildren, Robert I. McFarland of Sarasota, Florida, David G. McFarland of North Ridgeville, OH, Cindy Wyszynski of Brunswick, OH, and Mary Elizabeth Franzen of Hollywood, Md.; eight step grandchildren Susan, Bo, Robert, Katie, Lisa, Bradley, Heather, and Robert; a great grandson, Zachary and another expected great grandchild due in March; brothers, A. Eugene (Joan) Dessecker and K. Melvin Dessecker of Dover and Jerry (Rhea) Dessecker of Canton and a sister, W. June Keller of Dover; a sister in law, Beverly Dessecker of Dover and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, W. Dale "Shorty" Dessecker, a sister in law, Mary E. Dessecker and a brother in law, Ralph Keller.

A memorial service celebrating Dennis' life will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 beginning at noon in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover with Pastor Dan Legg and nephew, Randy Dessecker officiating and the Dover VFW will conduct military honors following the service. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10am until the time of service. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Dennis may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries and flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice House, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio or one's church or favorite charity.