Dennis E. Firth, 71, of Cowgill, Missouri, passed away Sunday morning, August 18, 2024, at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri.
Dennis was born on April 7, 1953, to Ralph and DeLoris (Brookshier) Firth in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Cowgill and graduated from Braymer High School in 1971. Dennis attended Trenton Junior College, where he obtained a degree in business. He was a member of the Cowgill Baptist Church, where he was baptized.
Dennis married Carmen Caselman, and together they had three daughters. He later married Sheila Darnell on January 25, 2004, in Kingston, Missouri. Dennis was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed raising cattle. He worked as a self-employed truck driver for many years, never forgetting the roads he traveled across the United States. Later, Dennis worked at the Department of Corrections at Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron for nine years.
Dennis served the Cowgill Volunteer Fire Department for 46 years, holding positions as Chief and retiring as a Captain. He was currently serving on the Cowgill Fire Protection District Board. The fire department was his passion, and he was always ready to respond when needed.
Dennis loved animals and enjoyed working with them. He cherished his family and was always willing to help them. He enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, being outdoors, and traveling. Dennis had a remarkable memory for names and never forgot anyone he met. He lived life to the fullest and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Firth, of the home; daughters, Christine Cherry (Tim) of Grain Valley, Missouri, Ashley Wattenbarger (Garrett) of Kingston, Missouri, Nicole Lynch (Jon) of Gallatin, Missouri, and Angel Mills (Cliff) of Pensacola, Florida; grandchildren, Ethan Wattenbarger of Kingston, Missouri, Ashlynn Murphy of Grain Valley, Missouri, Kelli Lynch, Klayton Lynch, Katie Lynch, and Mason Lynch, all of Gallatin, Missouri; sister, Denise Firth of Cowgill, Missouri; nephews, Luke Lee (Melinda) of Fillmore, Missouri, and Wesley Lee (Elizabeth) of Polo, Missouri; niece, Carrie Hunt (Nate) of St. Joseph, Missouri; aunt, Doris DeLisle of Braymer, Missouri; and extended family members Tiffany, Travis, Trevor, and Trent Worley of the home. Numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and other extended family members also survive.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to a fire department in your area or the Cowgill Fire Department, in the care of the funeral home. A service celebrating Dennis’ life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Cowgill. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, the evening prior, at Stith Funeral Home in Polo. Friends may call after 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Cowgill Cemetery, southeast of Cowgill, Missouri. Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Polo, Missouri (660) 354-2214.
