Obituary for Dean Russell Moltmaker

Dean Russell Moltmaker, 89, of Mount Clemens passed away February 24, 2019, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

A service of celebration and remembrance will be held on March 10, 2019 at the Utica United Methodist Church located at 8650 Canal Rd, Sterling Heights, Mi 48314. Rev. Don Gotham will be officiating. Visitation will begin at 3:00pm and the service will follow at 4:00pm. Please join the family following the service at a dinner in the church's fellowship hall at 5:00pm. Burial will occur at a later date in Clinton Grove Cemetery, Mount Clemens.

Dean was born on September 1, 1929, to Joseph and Gertrude (Fopma) Moltmaker. He graduated from Lake Odessa High School in 1947 and received a BA in Education from Western Michigan University and a MA degree in Education in 1955 from the Colorado State College of Education. He met Phyllis Elaine Ritzman on a blind date while attending Western and they married December 20, 1952. Dean served two years in the U.S. Army starting in 1952 as a Personnel Management Supervisor stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He began teaching at Mt. Clemens High School in the fall of 1955. Over the next 38 years he taught Speech, English, Drama, Journalism, and Driver's Education. He directed the drama club school plays in the fall and helped backstage with the spring musicals. When he wasn't teaching, he enjoyed traveling with family, camping, theatre, gardening and was active in the United Methodist Church, both in Mt. Clemens, and later in Utica. After retiring in 1993 he enjoyed traveling with Phyllis, both in their motor home and tours to the Holy Land, Greece and Turkey, Egypt, Oberammergau, Hawaii, and cruises up the Inside Passage to Alaska and through the Panama Canal. They also volunteered for many years at the Henry Ford Macomb Hospital gift shop.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Phyllis E Moltmaker (Ritzman) Three Children and five grandchildren. D'Anna (John) Potter, Laura and Erin. David (Sam) Moltmaker, Steven and Kelly. Allan (Margo) Moltmaker, Samantha. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Kenneth J Moltmaker.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to either the Alzheimer's Association Mind Over Matter bike ride or the Utica United Methodist Church through the links below.

2019 Mind Over Matter Bike Event

http://act.alz.org/site/TR?px=4814370&pg=personal&fr_id=12914&et=RJnNAOPHQVkt3Tsz8A0ELQ&s_tafId=468897

https://giving.ncsservices.org/g3/