Dennis John Skiera

Dennis John Skiera, 67, of Alanson, died unexpectedly at his home July 3, 2021.

Dennis was born on December 31, 1953, the son of Virgil and Tillie (Rybicki) Skiera in Manistee, Michigan. He grew up in Manistee and graduated from Manistee Catholic Central in 1972. Dennis was very proud that in his sophomore year, the football team won the State Championship. He continued to be a football fan and supporter of the program the rest of his life.

Dennis held a variety of jobs over the years; he managed Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants and met Colonel Sanders, worked as a traveling salesman for various hydraulics companies, and most recently, he was a sales consultant at Tractor and Trailer Specialties in Boyne Falls, Michigan. Due to his years as a traveling salesman, Dennis knew every road and route, without needing a map. He was ‘Google Maps’ before there was such a thing. He retired at age 58 and focused on enjoying the simple life.

Dennis loved visiting Mt. Airy, North Carolina, the inspiration for Andy Griffith’s “Mayberry” – and this was one of his favorite places on earth. He would visit for an extended stay every winter and talked about it often. His other favorite destination was deer camp in Irons, Michigan with family or in the Keweenaw Peninsula with his buddies. He was a great fisherman, but was happy to admit that he was average at hunting, as he was more interested in the social interaction and was always the life of the party.

Dennis had a penchant toward cheap beer, Busch or Natural Ice were his preferences. He was always willing to grab a drink, share one with a friend, and maybe if you were lucky, he would entertain you with his Louis Armstrong impersonations. If you closed your eyes during one of Dennis’ renditions of “Hello Dolly” or “What A Wonderful World,” you would be amazed at the likeness between his voice and Louis’.

Dennis would like to be remembered for his storytelling, jolly and energetic personality, his ability to engage with and make everyone around him feel comfortable, and his contagious sense of humor. His positivity was demonstrated by his relentless following of Detroit Lions football, hoping each year to see the team make it to the super bowl.

Dennis is survived by his siblings, Audrey (Dave) Schuessler of Manistee, Joe (Sharon) Skiera of Bear Lake, Bob (Ruth) Skiera of Manistee and James (Chris) Skiera of Lake City; his eleven nieces and nephews (who “Uncle Big D” treated like the children he never had), Melissa Myers, Holly Larsen, Rebecca Kelley, Jill Lynn, Jane Reeves, Jason Skiera, Jennifer Oleniczak, Daniel Schuessler, Joe Baron, David Baron and Sarah Baron as well as their spouses and children; and by his close friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Mary Lou Baron.

There will be a memorial service at Herbert Funeral Home (706 Kosciusko St., Manistee, Michigan, 49660) on Monday, August 30, 2021 with visitation from 11am-12pm and a celebration of Dennis’ life at noon.

Friends and family wishing to make a charitable donation in Dennis’ memory are asked to consider the Manistee Catholic Central football program (254 6th Street, Manistee, MI 49660 and www.sabers.org/giving) or the Petoskey Northmen Football Team (1500 Hill Street, Petoskey, MI 49770 and www.petoskeyathletics.org).

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