Dennis Joseph McElhare

Born at Abington Hospital and grew up in Penndel, Dennis was the son of the late John J. and Ethel (Conley) McElhare. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, known for his hard work, big heart, and quiet sense of humor who found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dorothy (Whittle) McElhare, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and enduring companionship.

A skilled and dedicated mechanic, Dennis worked in the automotive industry for over 50 years. For 40 of those years, he proudly served at Sears Automotive, beginning at the Neshaminy Mall location as one of its very first mechanics. His career later took him to Florence, South Carolina and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he continued his work until Sears closed its doors.

Outside of work, Dennis had many passions. He was an avid collector of toy trains, finding joy in their craftsmanship and nostalgia. He loved displaying them during the holiday season for everyone to enjoy. He also loved planning road trips and traveling with Dorothy, especially to Myrtle Beach and the wide open spaces of Wyoming—two of his favorite destinations where many cherished memories were made. A loyal fan of Penn State football and all Philadelphia sports, Dennis spent countless hours watching and cheering for his favorite teams—always optimistic, always faithful. He also enjoyed fishing and long walks in the park, where he found peace in nature.

In addition to his wife, Dennis is survived by his children: Bernadette Logue and her husband, Shane, of Levittown; Dennis T. McElhare and his wife, Kathy, of Levittown; and Jennifer Christine and her husband, Mike, of Casper, Wyoming. He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren: Scott McElhare, Amanda (McElhare) Hunt, and Samantha McElhare; Emily, Elizabeth, and Erica Logue; and Kevin and Allison Christine. He was also a proud great-grandfather to two great-grandchildren; Mckenna McElhare and Bo Hunt. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Martindell, of Doylestown.

Dennis was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack and Harry McElhare.

He will be remembered for his deep love for his family, his steady presence, and the joy he found in life’s everyday moments. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, June 19th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and again on Friday, June 20th, 2025 from 10:00 am until 11:00 AM at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home 2200 Trenton Rd, Levittown PA 19056, where a funeral service will follow. Interment will take place at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne, PA.