Dennis L. Stewart
October 03, 1939 – February 10, 2020
Dennis Stewart, age 80, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2020 surrounded by his loving family members.
Dennis was born in Collinsville, Illinois on October 3, 1939 to Lester Stewart and Virginia (Wessler) Stewart. Growing up, Dennis was the oldest of five children including three sisters, Patricia, Marsha, and Debra and one brother, Kelly. After graduating high school from St. Paul’s in Concordia, Missouri, Dennis furthered his education receiving a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. In the summer of 1962, Dennis was joined in marriage with his loving wife, Johynee on June 9th. Together Dennis and Johynee were blessed with one daughter, Pamala. Dennis completed his formal education at Southern Illinois University, achieving his Master’s in Business Education. This was the start of Dennis’ career as a teacher and principal. Over the years he was the educator of a one room schoolhouse at Zion Lutheran School in Lone Elm Missouri. He then took a call to Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minnesota, where he was the principal for the school. He then took a call to Old Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri, Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence, Missouri, took a brief break and became the manager of a marina in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on Lake Tenkiller. He was able to take is love of water and took a call to Heit’s Point Lutheran Camp at Lake of the Ozarks where everyone knew him as Grandpa Fun. He also spent some time at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School in various capacities.
He worked for the Fahey family for several years in various capacities, begun his own handy-man business and started a new business with his wife, daughter and son in law at the age of 74. He never quit until the job was complete.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Virginia Stewart.
He is survived by his loving wife of over fifty-seven years, Johynee Stewart; daughter, Pamala Hecker (Tom); ; three sisters, Patricia Huelskoetter (Wayne), Marsha Warnick (Larry), and Debra Belko (Robert); brother Kelly Stewart (Kate); three grandchildren, Thomas Ren Hecker (Brooke), Zachary Hecker, and Trey Hecker; and one great grandson, Thomas Bjorn Hecker.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Raymore, Missouri. Burial followed at Raymore Cemetery in Raymore, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that all memorial contributions be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 310 Johnston Pkwy, Raymore, MO 64083. Donations in Dennis’ name will be used towards an upcoming foundation for assisting families with educational scholarships in Lutheran schools.