Dennis L. Anson, 69, of Elkhart, died Thursday morning, May 10, at the Center for Hospice Care after an extended illness.

Friends and family may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola, where the service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Rev. Kerry Clear of Hillcrest United Methodist Church and Pastor Denny Olsen of Adamsville Road Church of God will officiate. A military honors ceremony will immediately follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, where inurnment will later take place.

Dennis was born May 2, 1950, in South Bend to Elizabeth (Milcoff) and Jerry Anson. They are deceased. He graduated in 1968 from LaSalle High School in South Bend and shortly there after enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving until 1971. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and recipient of the Bronze Star.

On May 7, 1977, he married Marilynn Olsen in South Bend. She survives with his two daughters, Tina Garrison and Rebecca (David) Allen; and son, Dean, all of Elkhart; seven granddaughters; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, David (Peggy) of South Bend, Robert "Bebo" of Buchanan, MI, and Olen (Pam) of Bremen; a sister, Sharon (Joe) Haynes of Melbourne, KY; one stepsister, Virginia; and three stepbrothers, Jack, Skip and Tom Rogers. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Bud Rogers; and a brother, Daniel Anson.

Dennis worked for Metro Waste Co. in South Bend and Stratto-Tower in Elkhart. He retired from Atwood Products, formerly Kemberly Inc., as a production supervisor. Never one to remain idle, he later worked part time at Lowe's in Elkhart. In 1982, he joined the Elkhart City Police Department as a member of the Reserve Force. He served with his
brothers in blue for 24 years, retiring as a lieutenant in 2006. Dennis was honored on May 15, 2018, by the Department and Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese during the annual memorial service to fallen officers, receiving both a commemorative retirement Shield and the Key to the City. Members of the Elkhart City Police Department will conduct a police honors ceremony during Saturday's service.

In his free time, Dennis enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a former member of the Elkhart Conservation Club and, along with his family, raised game birds for release onto the Conservation grounds. He also loved watching old war movies and westerns, especially John Wayne pictures. But his true passion was playing the role of Santa Claus for 27 years at both public venues, including Linton's Enchanted Gardens in Elkhart, and private events as well as for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to the Elkhart Fraternal Order of Police, Hillcrest United Methodist Church or the Elkhart Center for Hospice Care. To share a remembrance of Dennis or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.chapelhillmemorial.com .