Mr. Raymond L. Dennis, age 94, of Bear Branch, Indiana, entered this life on April 9, 1932 in Bear Branch, Indiana. He was the son of the late McKinley and Esther C. (Richards) Dennis. Raymond was raised in the Bear Branch community, where he grew up on the family dairy farm and attended high school. In 1951, Raymond was inducted into the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War. During his four years of active duty, he served as an airplane mechanic, working on large bombers, aerial refueling aircraft, and tanker planes. His military duties took him to several different countries, and as a young man, Raymond enjoyed the work and the opportunity to travel. Following his active duty service, Raymond was transferred to the United States Air Force Reserves and was honorably discharged on October 31, 1959, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Raymond was united in marriage to Donna B. Peak on August 31, 1956 in Rising Sun, Indiana. This union of nearly 68 years was blessed with three sons and one daughter. Raymond and Donna built their forever home on the family farm in Bear Branch, Indiana, where they raised their family and resided until his passing. Throughout his working career, Raymond was employed by the Quaker Oats Company for four years, A&W Milling for four years, and Vineyard Golf Course for ten years. He was also employed as a route salesman for Thompson-Glass Dairy in Madison, Indiana, retiring after 30 years of service. Raymond was a member of the Brown Township American Legion Post #247 in Friendship, Indiana, and the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Bear Branch, Indiana. Raymond was actively involved in his community throughout his lifetime where he served as the Pike Township Trustee for eight years. He was a former member of the Ohio County School Board and was a member of the Bear Branch Fire Department for over 25 years. He served for several years as sexton and treasurer of the Olive Branch Cemetery in Bear Branch, Indiana. Raymond took pride in maintaining the cemetery and dedicated much of his time to its care and upkeep. Raymond enjoyed riding horses, playing his guitar, golfing, attending flea markets, and writing poems and stories. He had a particular interest in local history and spent time researching and documenting the history of Pike Township. His interest in preserving the area’s history led him to write and publish a book about Pike Township a few years ago. Above all, Raymond will be remembered for his love for Jesus Christ, and the love he had for his family, friends, and neighbors. Raymond passed away at 4:30 a.m., Monday, November 9, 2026, at his residence.
Raymond is survived by his sons and daughter, Mark Dennis and his companion, Vickie Craig of Fairview, IN, Melisa Thieman and her husband, Mike of Pleasant, IN, Mike Dennis of Fairview, IN, and Myron “Marty” Dennis and his wife, Deidra of Bear Branch, IN; his grandchildren, Alicia (Chris Fouts) Thieman, Angie (Chris) Hartwell, April (Kris) Hetrick, Adam (Meganmarie) Dennis, Amanda (Jared) Yoder, Anthony Dennis, Alex (Grace) Dennis, Austin (Alex Nicole) Dennis, Ashley (Isaac) Hartsburg, Avery (Noah) Reckers, and Aiden (Hannah) Dennis; his 21 great-grandchildren and a baby boy on the way; his sisters-in-law, Nina Lock of Vevay, IN and Charlene Byram of Evansville, IN and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, McKinley Dennis, died August 13, 1981; his mother, Esther C. (Richards) Dennis, died July 26, 1994; his wife, Donna B. (Peak) Dennis, died June 26, 2024; his great-grandson, Rhett James Hartsburg, died April 18, 2017; his sisters, Gladys LaVerna Alford, died May 16, 2010, Betty Jean Williams, died December 2, 2011, and Leola Maxine Brinson, died June 6, 2020; his brother, Lowell McKinley Dennis, died April 14, 2013; his father-in-law, Clyde Beck Peak, died May 22, 2002; his mother-in-law, Sallye Mae (Thomas) Peak, died February 10, 1993; his brothers-in-law, Wilbur Brinson, Jr., died March 30, 1998, Basil Lee Williams, died September 12, 2005, Eslie Morris Alford, died May 27, 2016, and John L. Lock, died June 25, 2016.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043 and from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 13, 2026, in the old sanctuary at the Olive Branch Baptist Church, 2250 Milton Bear Branch Road, Dillsboro, Indiana 47018.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 13, 2026, by Pastor Pat Lanman, in the old sanctuary at the Olive Branch Baptist Church, 2250 Milton Bear Branch Road, Dillsboro, Indiana 47018.
Interment and full military rites will follow in the Olive Branch Cemetery, Bear Branch, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Olive Branch Cemetery. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com