Dennis L. Fetters
September 1, 1952 - June 19, 2016

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Dennis Fetters was a humble man whose greatest joy was found in the family he shared with the love of his life. He was a devoted husband and father, but he would be quick to say that nothing was better than welcoming grandchildren into his heart. Dennis was a hardworking man, but he also knew how to enjoy so many of the best things that life has to offer. Life was not without times of trial for him, but his strength, courage, and perseverance were truly inspiring. Dennis will certainly be missed, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

It seems only fitting that Dennis started his journey during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the 1950s when televisions were becoming part of our homes in huge numbers, which brought with it the introduction to shows like I Love Lucy and Father Knows Best. This was also the decade that Elvis Presley took the music world by storm with the sounds of rock n roll. It was on September 1, 1952, that Richard L. and Betty Jane (Adams) Fetters announced the birth of the baby boy they named Dennis L. in Wolf Lake, Indiana. He was raised on a dairy farm in Noble County, Indiana, alongside his brother, Duane.

In many ways Dennis was a young boy of his generation. Living on a farm meant that he had plenty of farm chores; however, when he was finished up with the cows he loved playing baseball. It was while growing up that Dennis became a New York Mets fan, and his friends even gave him the nickname of Yogi after the famous Mets coach, Yogi Berra. Dennis attended local schools and graduated from West Noble High School in 1971. He then continued farming for his dad.

Not to be forgotten during this time was Dennis introduction to the young girl who would forever hold the keys to his heart. Her name was Darlene A. Bouchard, and they met when he was up at Knapp Lake in Western Noble County the summer after graduating. As fate would have it, she was at her grandmas cottage on the lake that same day, and the sparks flew. They soon began dating and fell deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Dennis and Darlene decided to get married. They chose a date in the spring so he would still be ready to start farming for his father. A year after Darlene graduated from high school, the sweethearts were married on March 24, 1973, in Merriam at the Christian Chapel Church. As a young newlywed Dennis satiated his love for baseball by playing slow pitch softball, and he also joined his wife in becoming a member of the church she was raised in, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

A bit later, Dennis and Darlene learned they would become parents. Together they welcomed six children including Jennifer, Sarah, Katherine, Richard, Evan, and Emily into their hearts and home. Dennis loved being a father and was very actively in the lives of his children. He was also active with his children as they took part in various youth programs through the church and especially enjoyed going with them on trips. As a nature lover, Dennis loved visiting a variety of state parks with his family with his favorite being Yellowstone National Park. One of the things he loved most was being outside and right in the middle of wildlife. Around home Dennis enjoyed gardening with his wife. He always joked that she could have as many flower beds as she wanted because it was cheaper than a therapist with raising the six children!

Throughout his life Dennis was one to work hard. In addition to farming for his father, he bought his own farm, which also led him to become a seed salesman. Dennis eventually sold the farm in the Etna-Troy Township Northwest of Columbia City and moved to New Castle in 1989 due to a job transfer. In the mid-nineties, he made a career change, owning Grist Mill Publications, a coupon printing company. In 2002, Dennis moved back to the Columbia City area to help his parents as his mother was suffering with Alzheimers disease.

A man of many interests, Dennis enjoyed pursuing his interests. In addition to being a Mets fan, he was also a fan of Notre Dame football as he loved watching both of these teams play. Dennis was filled with unspeakable joy to learn that he would become a grandfather. He absolutely loved children, and his life was truly completed with the 29 grandchildren he adored. Both his church and his family were the cornerstones in his life.

Life was forever changed for Dennis and his loved ones when he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed on October 5, 2006. Through vast amounts of hard work, he was able to return home until 2013 when he moved to Courtyard Healthcare Center in Goshen.

All who knew Dennis Fetters would agree that he was such a fun-loving guy. He loved jokes and teasing others as nothing was better than making others laugh. Dennis had the most amazing smile as it radiated from the joy that was in his heart. A family man through and through, his wife, children, and grandchildren were his greatest gift. Dennis will never be forgotten.

Dennis L. Fetters, of Goshen and formerly of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, June 19, 2016, at Courtyard Healthcare Center in Goshen. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Darlene Fetters, of Elkhart; children, Jennifer Lynn (Kaman) Lykins, of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Sarah Elizabeth (Tyson) Lee, of Oceola, Katherine Mary Fetters, of New Castle, Richard Blair (Amanda) Fetters, of Sanford, North Carolina, Evan Arthur (Amber) Fetters, of Heber City, Utah, and Emily Janele Fetters, of Trapper Creek, Alaska; brother, Duane Lee (Trudi) Fetters, of Noble County; and 27 grandchildren. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, Tara Lykins and Vanessa Lee.

Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Friday, June 24, 2016 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3085E Lincolnway, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery in Wilmot. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the churchs perpetual education fund. To send Dennis family condolences online, visit www.demoneygrimes.com.

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