Dennis O. Tepe, 78, of Elkhart, died Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Physicians Regional Hospital, Naples, FL. Dennis was born on February 17, 1938 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Edward E. and Frances (Steele) Tepe. On October 11, 1959 he married Jan Pedler. She survives along with son, Steve Tepe, Elkhart; Grandchildren, Derek M. Tepe, Bristol, Erin M, Tepe, Elkhart, Ross D. Tepe, Bristol, Ryan M. Tepe, Elkhart, Morgan E. Tepe, Bristol, a daughter-in-law, Betsy Tepe of Elkhart and a brother, Duane Tepe (Rebecca), Mayer, AZ. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Frances Tepe and sons, Gary M. and Larry K. Tepe. Dennis graduated from Elkhart High School in 1956 and he also attended Western Michigan University where he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. He and Jan attended the Naples Community Beach Church in Florida. Dennis was also a life member of the Elks Lodge #425 and the Christiana Creek Country Club, was a member of the Naples Heritage Golf and Country Club and was a former member of Elcona. He also had a passion for flying and he was an active member of the Michiana Pilots Club. Dennis played varsity basketball for Elkhart High School from 1954-1956. He was a standout guard and helped lead the Blazers to the State final four in 1954 and 1956. Their team was one of the first teams to play at North Side Gym often filling the stands with fans. In 1956 at the State finals he was awarded the prestigious Trester Award for mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. As a senior he also was selected to play on the Indiana All Star Team and played against Kentucky. Dennis worked for several years in the R.V. business in Elkhart and was a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He purchased Melkus Distributing in 1973 and became the president and C.E.O. and later changed the name to Tepe Sanitary Supply, Inc. He took his company from a small local maintenance supply distributorship in the 1970's to a leadership position within the industry in Northern Indiana. He retired as the President/CEO in 2001 and handed the reigns off to his sons. Visitation for Dennis will be held on Wednesday, March 30th from 4 to 8 at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 31st at 1:00 p.m., also at the funeral home. The Rev. Bob Vale will officiate and burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Bristol. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to C.O.A.C.H, Elkhart Community Schools Sports Fund, Attn: Dr. Robert Woods, 2720 California Road, Elkhart, IN 46514, or to Ryan's Place 203 N. 5th St. Goshen, IN 46528.