Dennis W. Gildersleeve Sr.

Dennis W. Gildersleeve, Sr., 68, a resident of Rock Island for the past ten years, died Monday, June 22, 2009, at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. Dennis was born on June 19, 1941, to Oscar and Dorothy (Brim) Gildersleeve at Leavenworth, where he was raised and educated, graduating from Leavenworth High School in 1959. On February 12, 1960, Dennis married Viki Diane Cooper at Leavenworth, where he went to work for the U.S. Forest Service survey crew. Later, after trying his hand at several other occupations, he went to work for Jewell Satterfield at Satterfield's Construction. In 1974, Dennis started his own construction company, Gildersleeve Enterprises. In the fall of that year, he married Betty Wolfe. They spent many years together until her death in 1986. In 1993, he re-married Viki and they made their home in Rock Island. Viki died in 2005, and Dennis stayed in Rock Island, where he served the community as a councilman until his death.
Dennis is survived by his mother and step-father, Dorothy and Wayne Mummert of East Wenatchee; son, Dennis Gildersleeve, Jr. of Rock Island; daughter, Raquel Friday of Snohomish; son, Vernon Gildersleeve of East Wenatchee; brothers, David (Mary) Gildersleeve of East Wenatchee and Terry (Evelyn) Gildersleeve of Leavenworth; step-brother, Wayne (Colleen) Mummert of Chehalis; step-sister, Wanda (Wade) Creason of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Josh, Brian and Mysty Friday of Snoqualmie, Jonathan Gildersleeve of Rock Island, Steven Gildersleeve of Clyde, OH, Tiamo
Toft-Gildersleeve of Port Orchard and Hunter Gildersleeve of East Wenatchee. He is also survived by his significant other of four years, Ginny Parkhurst of Rock Island and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar; his wives, Viki and Betty; and an infant son, Scott.
A Graveside Service of Commemoration to Celebrate the Life of Dennis W. Gildersleeve, Sr. will be held on Friday June 26, 2009, at Mt. View Cemetery in Leavenworth at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held on Thursday June 25, 2009, at Ward's Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Ward's Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth, is in charge of the arrangements.