Dennis Lavern Douglas, 83, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Monday (May 4, 2015) at his home under Hospice care.

The son of William Vern and Easter Mabel (Brunk) Douglas he was born September 8, 1931 in Kirksville, Missouri. On May 3, 1952 in Kirksville, Missouri, Dennis was united in marriage to Wanita Williams.

Dennis is survived by his wife Wanita of sixty-three years; one daughter and son-in-law, Denita and Ron Ackley of Kirksville, MO; daughter-in-law, Dru Douglas of Janesville, WI; five grandchildren, Meshell Nichols and husband Chad, Crystal Craft and husband Tim, Jenny Douglas, Nick Douglas, and Matt Douglas and wife Erin; five great-grandchildren, Nathan Nichols, Gabby Nichols, Sam Craft, Joey Craft and Evelyn Douglas; four sisters-in-law, Armada Zimmerman, Mary Jo Walters and Carol Williams all of Kirksville, MO and Louise Douglas of Seattle, WA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Steve Douglas; one brother, Donald Douglas, and three brothers-in-law, Glen Walters, Buz Zimmerman and Bill Williams.

Dennis was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1949. He served his country during the Korean Conflict in the United States Air Force. After serving and being honorably discharged he moved to Kansas City and attended two years at Stevens Body, Fender and Mechanics School. Dennis then operated the DX garage in Novinger before going to work at Douglas Auto Repair on north Franklin in Kirksville. In 1966 Dennis and Wanita moved to Bettendorf, Iowa where they resided forty-eight years. Part of those years, Dennis worked as supervisor for the Caterpillar Dealership until his retirement. In 2007, he and Wanita returned to Kirksville to make their home.

In his early years Dennis and Wanita were members of and enjoyed dancing with the Kountry Cousins Square Dance Club. After retiring, Dennis enjoyed traveling many states with Wanita, was an avid Cardinal Baseball fan and loved time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dennis was a member of the Novinger Baptist Church and attended Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville.

Graveside service with military honors will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday (May 8, 2015) at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville, with Chaplain Carrol Davenport officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Travis-Noe Funeral Home of Kirksville, and no public visitation will be held.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dennis Douglas may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.