Dennis "Dee" Oliver Jesseph, 84, former Piqua, Kansas area resident and presently of Miami, Oklahoma died Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at his home. Dee was born May 15, 1925, in Iola, Kansas, the son of Albert O. and Amanda L. (Dennis) Jesseph. He was an engineer while serving in the European and Pacific Theatre with the United States Army during World War II. His platoon built bridges during the war and worked on a bridge over the Rhine River in Germany. On January 11, 1947, Dee married Peggy Ann Tripses in Iola. They lived in Sedgwick, Newton and Geneseo before moving to a farm near Piqua in 1986. Over the years he worked as a ranch hand, policeman, security officer, truck driver, mechanic and oil field worker. His wife preceded him in death on January 31, 2000. On July 14, 2000 he married Nancy (Mead) Jennings and they made their home in Miami, Oklahoma. He was a former member of the American Legion in Geneseo. SURVIVORS: Wife: Nancy 3 Sons: Dennis & wife, Pamela of Little River, KS; Sam of Piqua, KS; and Carl & wife Robin of Chase, KS 3 Daughters: Diana Schmidt & husband, Ernest of Delia, KS; Ella Jesseph of Great Bend, KS; and Amanda Butts & husband, Chuck of Lyons, KS 3 Step-Daughters: Faye & Lynette of Miami, OK; and Linda of Tulsa, OK 18 Grandchildren, 22 Step-Grandchildren, 19 Great Grandchildren and 20 Step-Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by a son, John Wayne and two stillborn sons, two brothers, Henry and Albert, two sisters, Margaret and Martha, a granddaughter, Jenny Jesseph, and three step-sons, Robert, James and Darrell. FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 26, 2009, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola, Kansas. The Rev. Bruce Winch will officiate. BURIAL: Cedarvale Cemetery at Neosho Falls, Kansas Online condolences for the family may be left at this website, www.iolafuneral.com.