Dennis Robert Woolley

Dennis Robert Woolley Sr., 75, of St. Joseph passed away on October 10, 2015 at his home. A celebration of life gathering will be held at Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph on Thursday October 15 from 5PM until 8PM. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children. Those wishing to share a memory of Dennis online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Dennis was born on June 7, 1940 in Gary, Indiana to John Robert and Genevieve (Lieber) Woolley. He graduated from Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. He went on to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he was a varsity football player and heavyweight wrestler. In June of 1962, shortly after he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, he married Nan Elizabeth Thomas in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He later served as an artillery officer during the Vietnam War.  In 1971 he moved his young family to St. Joseph, beginning a long career at Whirlpool Corporation and later Whirlpool Acceptance Corporation. He was an active, charismatic and loving man who enjoyed playing golf; cooking for his family and friends and watching his three sons play sports. He was a long-time member of the Point-O-Woods Country Club and St. John/St. Bernard Catholic Parish.  Dennis is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nan Elizabeth Woolley; two sons Andrew John Woolley of Ann Arbor and Benjamin Peter Woolley of Grand Rapids and four grandchildren.  He also survived by his two brothers Lawrence Woolley of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Richard Woolley of Portland, Oregon and his sister Jacqueline of St. Johns, Florida.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Dennis Robert Woolley Jr. on March 6, 2006.