Dennis Henry Tulk

Dennis Henry Tulk, 92, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at home with his family at his side, on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Dennis was born November 27, 1930, in Oberlin, Ohio to Henry and Dorothea (Parnell) Tulk. He grew up in and around Oberlin and was a 1948 graduate of Oberlin High School. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Japan during the Korean War. Dennis retired from UNISYS in 1991 after 34 years as a computer/office equipment service representative for Rockwell, Burroughs and UNISYS.  

Dennis married Barbara J. Ball at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Allegan, MI on May 1, 1954.  Surviving are his wife, Barbara; children, Denise (Steven) Chesser of Tucson, AZ, Roger (significant other Susan) Tulk of Charleston, SC, Elizabeth (Michael) Berry of Columbus, OH, Barry  (Shefalee) Tulk of St. Louis, MO, Elaine (Kirk) Vonk, and James Tulk (fiancée Laura) all of Battle Creek, MI; adopted daughter, Kim (Chuck) Yarger; 14 grandchildren, Kara (significant other Jed) Chesser, Ian (Stephanie) Chesser, Christopher (Lena) Tulk, Jessica Tulk, Stephanie (Michael) Jesso, Aarushi Tulk, Aanshil Tulk , Brittany Talamantez, Alysia (Adam) Timm, Jesse Talamantez, Kelsey (significant other, Kyle Brown) Vonk, Derek Smith, Bailey (Austin) Hartgrove, Riley (Cydney) Tulk, 13 great-grandchildren; and a half-brother, James (Amy) Tulk of Long Beach, CA. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Henry Tulk, Dorothea Hyatt, brothers, Donald, Douglas and Darryl Tulk; a stepmother, Gwendolyn Tulk and a stepbrother, Charles Fulbright.

Dennis was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, where he was an usher and where he and Barb did Adorations together in the Eucharist Adoration Chapel.   Dennis enjoyed woodworking, fishing and flower gardening. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Dennis will be remembered for his devotion to his family, and his outgoing, gregarious personality. He will be greatly missed by many. 

Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. James Richardson at St. Philip Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 22, 2023.  Military honors, committal and interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation, 25200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48033.