Dennis Gail Schlisner age 74, of Dalton, Georgia passed away September 1, 2017. Dennis was born January 26, 1943 in Madison, South Dakota to the late Harold and Fern (Sanford) Schlisner. Dennis grew up in South Dakota and attended Down's elementary school. He graduated high school from Plainview Academy in Redfield, South Dakota and attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dennis married Ann Pepper on June 30, 1963, in Harper Kansas. Dennis worked his entire adult life in the floor covering industry.

Dennis was known as a man full of generosity and love. He was the most optimistic person full of dreams and a never give up attitude on life. Dennis enjoyed cruising in the Caribbean, playing golf, gambling, watching sprint car races, watching baseball and playing Rook with his family and friends. But the most important activity for Dennis was spending time with his family and friends (especially his grandchildren) and showering them with love and generosity. One of Dennis' other qualities was his compassion for mankind. He was always helping out those in need. Dennis was known for giving a hitchhiker a lift and most likely some pocket money. He also never denied or judged the needy person on the street corner. They always received a donation from him. Dennis had the most beautiful tenor singing voice. We will miss his melodic voice and his renditions of "How Great Thou Art," "He Touched Me" and "The Lord's Prayer".

Dennis was an owner of Base King, LLC and invented 8 patents (2 patents pending) over the years. He always liked to take on a new challenge with one of his inventions. Base King employees were very important to Dennis and he made it a point to walk through the plant and greet each of his employee's by name. One of his employee's Chris Skaare worked for Dennis for 20 years. Dennis thought of him as one of his own family members. Work was always his passion and his work ethic was undeniably strong and a good example to us all.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 54 years Ann Schlisner. Together they had 3 daughters, one son and seven grandchildren: Denise Grady (Troy), Dana Woodall (Jake Downing), Devin Schlisner (Danielle), Denelle Schlisner (Mike Nunez Zavala), Brandon, Zachary and Kelsie Grady, Hayden, Hunter and Haylee Peterson, and Brooke Schlisner. Dennis is also survived by two brothers Everett (Maureen) and Cal Schlisner, two sisters, Marceline (Willie) Pedersen and Marietta (Warren) Flemmer, and one sister in-law Sheila Schlisner Hendricks. Dennis is also survived by his best friend since age 4, Douglas (Kathryn) Anderson. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Harold Schlisner, his brother, Robert "Bob" Schlisner, and his nephew, Todd Sigler.

Dennis' Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Ponders Melrose Chapel 138 Melrose Dr. SE Dalton, Georgia with Mark Stirnemann and Pastor Bill Wood officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 pm 4:00 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

Arrangements by locally owned and operated Ponders Melrose