Navigation

Obituary: Dennis D. Fales

February 22, 1943 ~ May 22, 2021

Fales, Dennis D. of Venice, FL and Ellison Bay, WI, formerly of Kirkwood, MO, died Saturday, May 22, 2021.  He was born on February 22, 1943, in St. Louis, MO to Dean and Mary (Hornbeak) Fales.  On August 17, 1968, he married Mary M. Chapman in Springfield, IL.

Dennis graduated from Stanford University (BA) in 1964 and Washington University (JD) in 1969. He served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves.

Dennis retired as Vice President and Senior Counsel of Ralston Purina Company in 2002 after 34 years.

Dennis preformed in many plays and was known for his tenor voice in school and church choirs, most notably being a founding member of the Mendicants of Stanford University.  Upon retirement, Dennis sang with The Doormen, The Peninsula Chamber Singers, and the choir at The Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church of Ellison Bay, WI.

Dennis will be missed for his brilliant mind, love of literature, quick-witted humor, boundless generosity and unfailing commitment to family, friends, and career. 

Survivors include his wife, Mary, Ellison Bay, WI; three children, Andrew D. (Kahala) Fales, Des Moines, IA; Margaret A. (Martin Coren) Fales, Brooklyn, NY; Tobin R. (Rebecca) Fales, St. Louis, MO; six grandchildren, Aiden, Hanna, and Mitchell Fales, Genevieve Fales Coren, Elin and Edwin Fales; one sister, Lesley (Sam) McCorkle, St. Louis, MO; brother-in-law, Bud (Marty) Chapman, Chatham, IL; two sisters-in-law, Ann (Cullen) Davis, Springfield, IL; Jane (Vince) Siemer, New Zealand; Janet Fales, Ladue, MO; and twelve nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a baby brother, Kermit Douglas Fales; and a sister-in-law and her husband, Carolyn and Ed Lee.

A music and prayer service in Dennis’ honor to be held at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church of Ellison Bay, WI, Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 11:00am.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Peninsula Players in Fish Creek, WI, or Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay, WI.  Burial will be in Hainesville Cemetery, Sturgeon Bay, WI.