Denny Wells

Dennis M. Wells, better known as Denny, 69, of Bucyrus died early Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Heartland of Bucyrus. He had battled cancer for over eight years and was in particularly poor health for a year and a half.



He was born July 11, 1949 to the late Harry M. Wells and Dorothy J. Watts who survives in Bucyrus. He led an active, fun-loving, and often mischievous childhood and graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1968. He was in the US Navy from 1969-1973 where he served as a Medical Assistant in hospitals in San Diego, Calif. and Pensacola, Fla. He returned to Bucyrus where he raised his family, worked with his dad in the bowling alley, and worked in retail for Conley’s and Walmart. Denny loved to cook and had the opportunity to own and operate 17th Lap Pizza downtown as “Chef Dennino” with his best friend of 60 years, Ed Monk.



He’ll be remembered for his great sense of humor which was always there, even when he was at his sickest. He loved music, especially Motown and doo-wop, and there was always a sporting event on, usually the Indians, Buckeyes, or a golf match. He was a loyal and honest friend who was very proud of his family. He was especially proud to have been nearly 30 years sober through the help of Alcoholics Anonymous where he met his wife, the former Julie A. Jenkins, whom he married August 7, 1994 and loved sharing life and laughter with. Denny was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church and wrote a lot of poetry, some of which he considered publishing in a book.



Denny is survived by his wife, Julie; mother, Dorothy; children, Dawn (Casey) Pollock, Amber (Dustin) Wirebaugh, JoEllen (Luke) Musselman, Ellary Dobbins (E.J. Spiegel), and John Dobbins; 13 grandchildren, Selena, Summer, Sarah, Jaret, Joe, Davin, Dexter, Jonah, Eli, Rowan, Ava, Gohan, and Julian; sisters, Debra (Stephen) Hoover and Diane (Timothy) Kaple; his best friend, Ed Monk; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry; brother, David; and stepmother, Nancy.



Family will receive friends on Sunday, October 21 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus from 2-5 pm. His funeral will follow, beginning at 5:00 with Jill Waite officiating and will conclude with military rites by the US Navy Honor Guard.



Those wishing to make donations are asked to make them payable to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society Serving Crawford County and give at the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on Denny’s Tribute Wall.