Dennis Gene Bonjour

After seventy-seven trips around the sun on October 28th, 2024, Dennis Gene Bonjour ended his journey with us. He is survived by his longtime significant other Sandy, sisters Becky, Beverly, Linda, Phyllis, brother Howard, oldest son Chris, daughter-in-law Shalini, and grandson Chaitan, the absolute joy of his life. The son of Alvin and Virginia (Dittberner) Bonjour, he was born in Mason City, IA and raised in Sheffield, IA while spending most of his adult life in Lansing, MI. A modest Midwesterner that took pride in making the lives of those around him better every day.

Dennis grew up on a traditional farm with his family getting his first job at 4 years old chopping off pigs’ feet which he reminded his sons of every time they complained about how hard it was to clean their room. As he grew up, he continued to work on neighboring farms to help provide for his family while completing middle & high school enjoying his time playing baseball, a passion that would follow him through life as a down-in-the-dirt catcher. He eventually left Iowa to join the Army during the Vietnam War. 

Stationed in Louisianna, he prepared many soldiers for their departure to Vietnam. On his downtime he would run the popcorn machine for movie nights on the base becoming a master of popping kernels, a lifelong favorite snack. After his time in the service, he moved to Michigan to attend Ferris State deciding to pursue a career in law enforcement where he also met the mother of his two sons, Suzanne. 

For nearly three decades Dennis was a respected police officer spending a majority of his career with the Lansing Township Police Department. Those that knew him called him, “Banjo”. A true throwback to the Andy Griffith era of police officers, the entire neighborhood knew him on an almost personal basis. Injuries sustained while on duty forced him into early retirement. When not on duty he enjoyed time playing travel softball with the police department, but his ultimate passion was golf. 

An avid sports fan who grew up cheering for the Celtics, Packers, & Yankees, Dennis would watch anything athletic. Baseball was a constant, but it was golf that he strived to perfect. His days were filled swinging clubs on courses from Michigan to Iowa even flirting with a professional stint. When not on the greens during retirement you could find him on his boat in Whitehall, MI where he lived most summers. To him 18 holes on the course and nights on the water was as close to heaven as one could get on Earth. 

His only regret was not becoming a truck driver after retirement so he could have seen more of the United States, a profession that his brother Kenny had picked who he idolized. Dennis now joins Kenny, their brother Clifford, and his youngest son Scott in the afterlife. He requested that if you wish to honor him that you do something nice for your neighbor and make life better for those around you which is exactly how he lived his life from first breath to last.