Dennis Stephen Lavish

Dennis Lavish ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center on Mar. 17, 2026.Dennis Lavish, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky.He was born September 1, 1941, in Lorain, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Sophie (née Janezic) Lavish. Dennis was a 1959 graduate of Lorain High School, where he excelled in both basketball and baseball. He went on to attend Bowling Green University, where he was a walk-on for the baseball team. Dennis later graduated from Kent State University in 1965 and was a proud member of the ROTC program and the Persian Rifles Drill Team.Following graduation, Dennis served his country with honor in the United States Army Corps of Engineers for two years. He was honorably discharged on August 10, 1967, with the rank of First Lieutenant.Dennis dedicated 33 years of his career to U.S. Steel/U.S. Kobe, working in labor relations and workers' compensation before retiring in 1999. He was actively involved in the community, coaching youth baseball and CYO basketball and serving for two years on the Lorain Public Library Board. Dennis was also a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amherst.Known for his friendly personality and wit, Dennis loved riding his bike and was rarely without a pocket full of candy to share with others. He was very sociable and built lasting friendships throughout all stages of his life. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his children and grandchildren.Dennis is survived by his children, Deneen (Tim) Welker, Scott (Sandra) Lavish, and Melissa (Greg) Isenberg; his grandchildren, Alyssa Welker, Kaitlyn Welker, Caleigh Lavish, Andrew Lavish, Ryan Lavish, Lauren Isenberg, McKenna Isenberg, and Lindsey Isenberg; step-grandchildren, Nicole Williamson and family, and Joshua Welker and family; brothers, Eugene Lavish, and Clifford Lavish.He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arleen (née Reber) Lavish; and his parents, Joseph and Sophie Lavish.The family will receive friends on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Closing prayers will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the funeral center, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Rev. Father Timothy O'Connor, Pastor, will officiate. Private family entombment will take place at a later date.Contributions may be made in memory of Dennis to the Parkinson's Foundation or to the Ohio Veterans Home.Online condolences may be left for the family at https://www.dovinreberjones.com.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.