Obituary
Dennis Lee Havlin Sr. passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on July 31st, 2023. In his
personal life, Dennis was a husband, father, and grandfather. But he was much more to many more
people. In his 82 years he was a businessman, an entrepreneur, a softball and football coach, a fishing
captain, speaker, and award-winning author. During his time in Florida he resided in Lakeland, Lake
Alfred, Haines City, and spent his final years in Bokeelia, Florida.
Dennis was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 18, 1941, to the late Ralph and Luella Havlin. He was raised
in Cincinnati and Fort Myers, Florida. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s
degree in business and quickly moved to Lakeland, Florida, working for 23 years in a wide range of
capacities for the FMC corporation. Mentoring people was always a priority in his life and in that time,
he was active in coaching football, softball, and leading the Campfire Girls. He also honed his love for
the outdoors, primarily fishing, camping, and bird hunting. He was a phenomenal fisherman and a
friend once joked, “I swear he could catch fish out of a bathtub.”
After retiring from FMC, Dennis tried his hand at various entrepreneurial endeavors such as
owning/operating Ramp Manufacturing, and a boat/fishing captain adventure company. He then turned
his energy toward his passion for writing and speaking. Dennis has had twelve of his works published in
mystery/history genres and received over a dozen accolades for his writing efforts. He had a lifelong
passion for history, especially for Florida history and had become an in-demand speaker touring through
the southeast. He also enjoyed leading seminars teaching other aspiring writers in the craft of
storytelling and character development.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jeanelle (Cooley) Havlin, children Lori Funk (Michael) and
Dennis Jr. (Dorothy), and four grandchildren, Bradley and Branden Funk, and Natalia and Dennis Havlin.
We are certain Dennis has rejoined his family and friends that have proceeded him, undoubtably around
a campfire in the sky, listening to country radio, taking an occasional sip of bourbon, and telling tall
fishing tales. He will be loved, cherished, and missed until we rejoin him as part of God’s plan.
Optional: A celebration of life event is being planned for January of 202).
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