Bernard J. Dennison Sr., 93, of Pinehurst, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Kingswood Nursing Center, Aberdeen.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the mausoleum at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Southern Pines

Dr. Dennison was born in Medina County, Ohio, in 1916. He graduated from Burbank High School, baked at a local bakery, and taught chemistry. He received his doctor of dental surgery from Ohio State University in 1941. He continued baking while in Columbus to put himself through school. All his life he delighted his guests with his homemade bread and pizza, sticky buns and prize-winning chocolate pecan pie.

During the World War II years, Dr. Dennison was stationed in Los Angeles, Calif., where he was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. During these years he became a Christian. He served on the Billy Graham prayer team, taught missionaries how to help people with their dental needs and told his patients and friends about his Savior, Jesus Christ. Numerous people trusted Christ as their personal redeemer.

Dr. D. became known as a matchmaker. The Los Angeles Times wrote a front-page article on the many couples introduced to each other by him, who later married.

After the war Dr. Dennison moved his family back to Columbus, Ohio, where he set up a dental practice. He helped the Grace Brethren Church in Worthington, Ohio, start its ministry. There was always a home Bible study going on in his house.

The last practice he established was in Pinehurst, where his partner and son joined him from Columbus. His third great love -- golf -- became fully developed. He won his flight at Pinehurst Country Club.

Dr. Dennison constantly pursued the advances being made in dentistry. He was a member of the American academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Periodontology. He was in active practice until he was 83 years old -- 56 years in his field. He was on staff of Moore County Hospital for dental emergencies.

Dr. Dennison was a member of First Baptist Church in Aberdeen, where he taught Sunday School.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Betty Jane Shoemaker Dennison, his mother and father, Zora and Warren G. Dennison, his sister, Beaty Bowman, his brother, Leo Dennison and his nephew, Terry Dennison.

Dr. Dennison is survived by his sons, Bernard J. Dennison Jr. and wife Carlene, and Philip Dennison; his daughters, Bonnie Jean Fields and husband, Mark, and Jan Bolla and husband, Alex; grandchildren, Darcy Robin Harwood and husband, Cary, Mandy Otsuk and husband, Sasagu, Alex Bolla III and wife, Courtney, Nathan Fields, Philip Dennison Jr. and Lena Dennison; great-grandchildren, Kaiand Emi Otsuki and A. J. Bolla; nephews, Jim Dennison and wife, Sue, Jeff Bowman and wife, Pat, and Mark A. Bowman and wife, Karen; and his wife's family, Fred Shoemaker and wife, Rosalie, Marilyn Potts, Norma Boos and husband, Judd, Janice Alder, Pat Toronto and husband, Joe, and Martha Shoemaker.

Memorials may be made to Bible Alive Ministries, c/o of Dr. Ralph Richardson, P. O. Box 2222, Fayetteville, NC 28302.

Condolences may be made to www.powellfuneralhome.com.