Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Dennis, Peyton December 14, 2019 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net November 23, 2020, 1:57 pm Ionia Sentinel Standard-Dec. 2019 PEYTON DENNIS LAID TO REST, BUT LEGACY WILL LIVE ON In less than a year, Peyton Dennis became a police officer, a firefighter, a cowboy and a superhero. He was Ionia's hero. Despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness, Peyton, 5, found a way to smile and live his life to the fullest until his last breath. In turn, he inspired those in and out of his community with his bravery. Peyton was laid to rest on Thursday, Dec. 19. He died on Saturday Dec. 14, after being diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomia (DIPG) - a type of brain cancer - in February. Peyton's story about his fight has stretched far and wide, inspiring many people in the process - represented by the hundreds who turned out to his funeral Thursday, many wearing his favorite color blue and donning gold DIPG ribbons. Peyton was buried at Balcom Cemetery in his Michigan state Police clad casket, while friends and family celebrated his life by enjoying his favorite snacks at a luncheon at Steele Street Hall afterward. Now in his final resting place, Peyton's legacy still lives on - and forever will - in Ionia and beyond. His fight against cancer, and his inspiration to many people around him, was his special power. Ionia Major Dan Balice said Peyton's battle drives home how wonderful it is to come from a community this close. "Because Ionia is a close-knit and caring community, we felt it was a tragedy that affected all of us." Balice said. "The community certainly rallied around him." Balice said the city was happy to assist with Peyton's interests in police agencies - allowing him to ride in a police car and fire truck. "You just can't replicate the love, care and support the community has for one of our own,"" Balice said. "For Peyton, you saw that in spades." After Peyton's diagnosis, fundraisers were quickly planned to support him and his family. One month after he was diagnosed, he was named an honorary deputy by the Ionia county Sheriff's Office - visiting the department to try out equipment. Other agencies learned quickly Peyton's love for the law enforcement profession, sending him gifts from their respective departments. Peyton turned 5 on April 8. Two days before, the community celebrated with him at the Lyons-Muir lions Club in Muir. He traveled to the party via a Berlin-Orange Fire Department truck and received presents and enjoyed his favorite foods, including hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. Trips to Florida and Tennessee were part of Peyton's past 10 months. He also encountered the League of Enchantment, which allows Michigan children in need the ability to meet their heroes through cosplay. Peyton teamed up with his superhero friends several, including his November superhero dance party at Steele Street Hall. There were 32 superheroes who recently celebrated an early Christmas with Peyton at his home. Katie Whittaker, oof the League of Enchantment, took on the role of Wonder Woman. She recalls helping Peyton tie up Spider-Man but also remembered Peyton's smile. "He just loved life," Whitaker said. "His smile just lit up the room." Balice, laving been mayor for 30 years, said he's seen situations like this many times - the capacity of the community to provide economic and emotional support to families who are going through tragedy. He added it's been some time since he's seen something of this magnitude. "When the community needs to rally around a person or a family or a concept that is badly needed, they do it." Balice said. The mayor was touched that people in the community decorated and lit their houses early this Christmas season for Peyton. Christmas was one of Peyton's favorite holidays. "That's just the kind of thing you can't put a dollar value on it, but it's a tremendous bit of support for a member of the community who needs it," Balice said. "Peyton is just one little boy but he got everybody emotionally involved and supported. After Peyton's death on Saturday, the community united once again downtown Monday, Dec. 16, in front of the Ionia County Courthouse for a candlelight vigil. Peyton is also survived by two brothers, Hunter and Caleb, and a sister, Kinsley. Those wishing to support the Dennis family can still donate on GoFundMe: "Support Peyton's Round 2 Fight Against Cancer." At Peyton's funeral, letters from his family were read by his cousin, Logan. One of those letters came from his parents, Bobby and Katie Dennis. It can be read on the "Our Cowboy Peyton Fighting DIPG" Facebook page. "We wanted to thank you all for your continued support." Katie and Bobby Dennis said. "We will find ways to honor Peyton and keep his memory alive. Please keep Payton in your hearts and prayers. "We hope that the one thing everyone took away from Peyton's story is to love your kids a little harder, appreciate their every breath because there's not always tomorrow, we had plans for Peyton and they were gone in the blink of an eye." Peyton's impact on Ionia has still been strong, with several businesses still displaying the "Peyton Strong"motto on their signs. There has been support for Peyton and his mother, Katie Dennis, to be named this year's Citizen of the Year at the Ionia Community Awards. Thursday's emotional funeral included the songs "Amazing Grace' and "I can Only Imagine" that were sang aloud by people in the crowd. His pallbearers included police officers, firefighters, a cowboy and Batman, Captain America and Wonder Woman - portrayed by Whittaker. All of M-66 from the funeral home to Tuttle Road stood still during the funeral procession to Peyton's final resting place. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/d/dennis39087nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb