Dennis Bauchan's Obituary
Mr. Dennis Bauchan, age 83, of Spring Lake, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024. He was born September 25, 1940, in Pontiac, MI to Louis and Irene (Carr) Bauchan. On November 5, 1960, he married Jerilynn Borden in Jackson, Michigan.
Dennis served in the US Coast Guard for 21 years, was a deputy with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department – Marine Patrol for 15 years and had owned P&V Antennae for 34 years. He was a member of the Chief Petty Officer Association and American Legion. He greatly took pleasure in attending and watching his grandchildren in sports and enjoyed his family, friends, NASCAR and watching hockey. He also took pleasure in time spent with Joed Bruce from helping at a young age, to working on the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona (1 of only 500), to seeing Joed's efforts in the US Navy. He will be greatly missed.
Dennis joined the United States Coast Guard in 1958. After boot camp he served in Alaska. Afterwards came his first assignments in the Grand Haven area with postings in Holland, Grand Haven and Ludington. He was subsequently assigned his only "desk" service - Recruiting for the Coast Guard in Akron, OH. Returning to Michigan, next he was stationed on the USCGC Mackinaw in Cheboygan (where interestingly his father had also retired from the USCG). Following was a return to Grand Haven, first at the Coast Guard Station as Officer in Charge and then as Executive Petty Officer on the Raritan. A move to USCG Station Fishers Island, NY was the following assignment, briefly, as that station was shortly closed. Once again was a return to Michigan, with running the Coast Guard Station on Belle Isle (Detroit), which was Dennis' last posting before retiring in 1979, and returning to their home in Spring Lake.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jerilynn; son, Chris (Brenda) Bauchan of Ada; grandchildren, Janelle, and Chad Bauchan; brother, Michael (Pam) Bauchan; nephews: Mickey (Tami) Bauchan, and Matt Bauchan and their families; brother-in-law Dick (Jennifer) Borden; niece Tarena and nephew Ryan (Courtney) and their families; brother-in-law Craig (Donna) Borden; nieces: Rona (Andy) and Reda (Justin) and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Irene; and niece, Michelle Bauchan.
A memorial service will be 11:00 AM Friday, February 9, 2024, at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial Contributions in memory of Dennis may be given to the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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