Milton John "Milt" Dempsey, Jr.

Milton “Milt” Dempsey, 78, of Metamora, IL, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at home.

Milt was born on November 4, 1947, in Chicago, IL, the son of Milton John and Jane (Brown) Dempsey. He moved with his family, which included his older sister, Pamela, and younger brother, Fred, to Michigan City, IN in the early 1950’s. Milt graduated in 1966 from St. Mary’s High School (now known as Marquette). He went on to study at Indiana State University in Terre Haute and was a founding father of its Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter. He graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

He worked in retail, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, and automobile sales, finding his niche in commercial fleet sales. He retired from his position as Commercial Fleet Manager from Green Chevrolet in Peoria, IL in 2008.

Milt married Brenda Bell on January 29, 1972, and had one child. He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Gretchen Johnson; his son-in-law, Scott Johnson; and four grandchildren, Shawn Foote of San Diego, CA, Seth Foote of Peoria, Hope Johnson of Metamora, and Luke Johnson of Metamora; his brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Milt was preceded in death by both of his parents; his brother; his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Gerthyl Bell; his brothers-in-law, Robert “Bobby” Bell and Joe Morrow; his nephew, Bradley Dee Bell II; and his great niece, Bryauna Marie Bell.

Milt made some great memories with his life-long friends on the beaches of Lake Michigan. He also made some fun, but not quite so perfect memories on golf courses and baseball fields. He had a charismatic personality that made people want to be around him and be grateful to know him.

He was a fan of the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls, but he reserved his most enthusiastic support for the sport of football, the Chicago Bears (“Da Bears”), and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

His proudest achievement was his family. He took no greater joy in anything else and never demonstrated his character more than in how he served his family as husband, father, and grandfather for over 53 years.

Cremation has been accorded. Per his wishes, his family will spread his ashes in a private ceremony at a later date.