Dennis LaBelle

Dennis Michael LaBelle was born in Saginaw, MI, in 1943 and passed away at the age of 77 on February 21, 2021, in Traverse City, MI. After fifty-two years of marriage to Patricia LaBelle, they have four children, ten grandchildren, and a remodeled house - displaying his master carpenter skills. Dennis is recognized for his public service, with 29 years in the Grand Traverse Prosecutor’s office, with 16 years in the elected position of Prosecuting Attorney. Dennis and Patricia made many life-long and treasured friends during his first campaign for county prosecutor in 1988. He retired in 2004. Dennis graduated from the University of Detroit and Wayne State University Law School while also working at the Michigan Court of Appeals. After graduation, he worked for the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission before moving to Traverse City in 1975. During his time as Prosecutor, the office’s programs expanded to include victims’ assistance, domestic violence, truancy, juvenile crime, and much more. Dennis served as an adjunct professor at Northwestern Michigan College. Remodeling the family home on East Bay was an expression of his intense interest in woodworking and his desire to keep his wife happy. He was a member of the Grand Traverse Men’s Shed, a nonprofit organization and Rotary Club. Dennis also had published articles in Fine Woodworking Magazine. Practicing a quiet faith, he was a parishioner at St. Francis Church in Traverse City. Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Patricia, their children Suzanne Schulz-Parmeter (Dan Parmeter), Michael LaBelle, Sarah Smith (Chris Smith), and Matthew LaBelle; and their ten grandchildren; his brother Dale (Ginny) LaBelle, sister Dena Herlick, and mother-in-law Suzanne Carnegie. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff members at French Manor Lafranier, Mary Free Bed, and Palliative Care at Munson, along with Hospice of Michigan, for their tremendous support and guidance, in addition to thanking numerous neighbors and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Hospice of Michigan. Visitation will take place on Sunday February 28, 2021 from 4-7pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will take place on Monday March 1, 2021 at St Francis Catholic Church beginning at 11:00am.

Dennis LaBelle

March 29, 1943 - February 21, 2021