Dennis Ballard Peyton

Dennis Ballard Peyton departed this life on December 27, 2010. He was born February 15, 1953 in San Antonio, TX to Kenneth Paige Peyton and Ruth Galloway Peyton. His gentle, nurturing soul found expression in writing, drawing and painting. Dennis earned his Bachelors degree at St. Marys University in San Antonio, and a Masters degree at Miami University of Ohio. He taught American Literature and Creative Writing, and worked for the Psychological Corporation, a division of Harcourt Publishers. As a volunteer for St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, Dennis visited nursing homes and rehab centers. However, his most enduring legacy is his love of God, family, and his beloved pets. He devoted 6 years of his life to the care of his dying parents. He never saw an animal in distress that he didnt have to rescue. Dennis met the woman he called my most precious earthly good late in life, and after a long-distance courtship he and Melissa were married November 3, 2007. The couple encouraged each other in their faith, had a mutual appreciation for the absurd, and shared a love of art, literature, classic films and history. Their only point of contention was the relative merits of his Cowboys and her Steelers. Dennis is survived by his wife Melissa Renck Peyton, his siblings, Michael Peyton, Kerry Deb Peyton, Dixie Karl Neumann, Kathleen Jim McCarthy, Louis Peyton, and Christopher Trish Peyton, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and their children, who remember Uncle Buz as the most likely to buy them books to read, join them in imaginative play, and encourage their creativity. Visitation will be at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home 501 Conant St. Maumee on Wednesday December 29, 2010 from 5-8 pm with the Rosary being recited at 7:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Historic Church of St. Patrick Thursday at 10:00 am. with entombment at Resurrection Cemetery following. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, the Little Sisters of the Poor, or Retirement Fund for Religious. On-line condolences may be made at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.