Denis J. Brogan

Denis J. Brogan, 80, died peacefully at home early Saturday, May 13, 2023 under the care of his family and Avita Hospice.

He was born in Youngstown on March 23, 1943 to the late Jack and Peg (Wining) Brogan. They made their way to Bucyrus when Denny was in grade school and he attended Holy Trinity School and Bucyrus High School, graduating in 1961. Denny was working concessions at a football game his junior year when a young lady who was also working named Barb Lawson caught his eye. They made their way to an afterparty at the Sullivan’s where he learned her name and the rest is history. Denny and Barb were married August 25, 1962.

Denny was loved by a lot of people and dearly loved his family. He was fun, worked hard, and played often. His favorite pastimes were hunting, horses, boating, volleyball, Jeeps, and Harleys. He hunted a number of different game and had a memorable antelope hunt in Wyoming. He built his own Jeeps, naming them “Bankruptcy,” from the frame up and raced them with Barb and other friends. His Harley rides took him all over including a few trips to Sturgis. While in Florida in 1980, he and Barb met a group of lifelong friends with whom they enjoyed many gatherings and still maintain a close bond. West Center Street’s block parties during the Bratwurst Festival were epic and still talked about. Denis worked for 38 years at The Timken Co. where he made many friends as well.

Denis was a member of Bucyrus UMC and the former Epworth UMC, Moose Lodge #669, Crawford County Conservation League, and Elks Lodge #156.

Denny is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barb Brogan; daughters, Davina (Dewey) Brogan-Akers and Kala Brogan; grandchildren, Devan Akers, Dalton (Addi) Akers, and Zaden Brogan; sister, Nadine (Ben) Rader; Barb’s siblings, Kenny (Brenda) Lawson, Delbert (Kathy) Lawson, Bruce (Judy) Lawson, Vickie (Jim) Deaver, Sherri (Pete) Beale, and Michelle (Marc) Schell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Denis was preceded in death by son, Darin Todd Brogan; daughter, Holly Leann Brogan; in-laws, Rosie and Earl Lawson; and brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Chris Lawson.

All services will be held at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. The Brogan family will receive friends on Thursday, May 18 from 1-3 and 6-8 pm. His funeral will be held Friday at 10:30 am with Pastor Brad Smith officiating and burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to Bucyrus UMC or Marion Family YMCA (for their “Delay the Disease” exercise program). These gifts can be given at the funeral home and memories and photos can be shared on Denny’s Tribute Wall.