The Richmond News, Aug. 23,2024

April 7, 1953-Aug. 18, 2024 Dennis E. Firth, 71, of Cowgill passed away Sunday morning, Aug. 18, 2024, at Liberty Hospital.

Dennis was born April 7, 1953, in Kansas City, the son of Ralph and DeLoris (Brookshier) Firth.

He grew up in Cowgill and was a 1971 graduate of Braymer High School. Dennis then attended Trenton Junior College (now North Central Missouri College) and obtained a degree in business.

Dennis was a member of the Cowgill Baptist Church, where he Dennis Firth

was baptized.

He married Carmen Caselman. To this union, three daughters were born. Dennis later married Sheila Darnell on Jan. 25, 2004, in Kingston.

He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed raising cattle. Dennis worked as a self-employed truck driver for many years and remembered every road he traveled in the United States. He later worked at the Department of Corrections at Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron for nine years.

For 46 years, Dennis was a member of the Cowgill Volunteer Fire Department. He served as chief and retired as a captain. He was serving on the Cowgill Fire Protection District Board at the time of his death.

The fire department was Dennis’ life and passion, and he was always ready for the tones to drop. He also loved animals and working with animals.

In addition, Dennis loved his family and was always willing to help them. He enjoyed spending time with his family, being outdoors and traveling. If Dennis met you, he always remembered your name and never forgot you. He never met a stranger and lived life to the fullest.

Dennis 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; and daughters, Christine Cherry (Tim) of Grain Valley, Ashley Wattenbarger (Garrett) of Kingston, Nicole Lynch (Jon) of Gallatin and Angel Mills (Cliff) of Pensacola, Fla.

Other survivors include his grandchildren – Ethan Wattenbarger of Kingston, Ashlynn Murphy of Grain Valley, Kelli Lynch of Gallatin, Klayton Lynch of Gallatin, Katie Lynch of Gallatin and Mason Lynch of Gallatin. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Denise Firth of Cowgill; nephews, Luke Lee (Melinda) of Fillmore and Wesley Lee (Elizabeth) of Polo; niece, Carrie Hunt (Nate) of St. Joseph; aunt, Doris DeLisle of Braymer; and family, Tiffany, Travis, Trevor and Trent Worley of the home. Numerous great-nieces and nephews, and other extended family also survive.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to a fire department in your area or the Cowgill Fire Department in care of the funeral home.

A service celebrating Dennis’ life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the First Baptist Church of Cowgill. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Stith Funeral Home in Polo. Friends also may call after 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Burial will follow the services at Cowgill Cemetery, located southeast of Cowgill. Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Polo. Phone: 660-354-2214. The online guestbook is at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com.