Dennis Michaels

Dennis Michaels, 80, died Oct. 23, 2011, in Weiser, Idaho.

He was born Jan. 10, 1931 in Hopedale, Ohio, to James and Roxie Michaels. During his 20s, he was a truck driver for various companies working up to owning his own truck and trailer. In his early 30s, he met Gloria in California. They soon married with the plan to move to Alaska, which had been Dennis’ lifelong dream. They lived predominantly in Alaska from 1962-1997.

Dennis worked as a heavy equipment welder at three Alaska coal mines.

In 1968, true to his independent nature, Dennis bought a gas station in Sutton. During slow times at the station he used the garage bays and his welding skills to build a wrecker, a fuel truck and a septic tank pumper. People soon realized that he could build or fix anything and he had no shortage of friends.

Two years later he sold that station and built the first remote Tesoro station in Alaska, which he ran along with a fuel oil business. Over the years in Sutton, Dennis bought land and homes, which he would remodel and sell. He employed and befriended many Alaska Native people through the years. He had a true heart of compassion. Dennis had a passion for hunting and camping in many remote places in Alaska. After retiring in 1975, he worked part-time as an assistant hunting guide until he was in a plane accident in 1980. Dennis helped build two churches in Alaska, as he always held a deep place in his heart for the Lord and his work. In 1997, he and Gloria permanently moved from Alaska and settled in Weiser, Idaho, in 1998.

Dennis is survived and loved by his wife, Gloria Michaels. He’s also survived by Dan Michaels, Russia, Ohio; Roger Michaels, Grass Valley, Calif.; Bevdena Russo, Geneva, Ohio; Ginger Beese, Wilmington, N.C.; Wesley Michaels, Troy, Idaho; Sherry Creech, Cornelius, Ore.; 21 blended grandchildren; and 20 blended great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are at 11 a.m., Oct. 29 at Weiser Christian Church.