The Dement Family Association began in the spring of 1986 as a simple round‑robin exchange of family news that quickly grew into a quarterly publication called “BITS OF DEMENTS” and, soon after, into a nationwide family organization. In 1986 the group formally adopted the name Dement Family Association, setting annual dues at 15 dollars per family to cover the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter to members’ homes across the United States. Over time, circulation expanded to reach more than one hundred families, reflecting both the size of the extended Dement family and the commitment to staying connected across generations and distances.

From its earliest days, the Association has existed to share information, preserve family history, and strengthen ties among Dement descendants. The quarterly newsletter became the primary vehicle for telling family stories, announcing births, marriages, and passings, and recording important genealogical discoveries. As the organization matured, it also took on the role of coordinating national reunions so that relatives who had only met on paper could gather in person to celebrate their shared heritage. This blend of written history and in‑person connection still defines the Association’s purpose today.

Leadership and volunteer service have always been central to the Association’s story. When officers were first appointed in 1986, roles included President, Vice President/Membership Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor of BITS OF DEMENTS, along with reunion co‑chairs to plan upcoming gatherings. Charter members represented many branches of the family, each tracing their line back to a Dement ancestor and committing to help launch this new association. Over the years, a series of dedicated presidents and officers have guided the group, maintained the newsletter, and ensured that dues and donations were used wisely to support printing, postage, and reunion planning.

The DEMENT FAMILY ASSOCIATION Officers appointed in 1986 as the first Executive Board were as follows: SARAH WARNER-President, MARILYN HOLMES-Vice President/Membership Chairperson, JOSEPH J. BROWN-Secretary, BETSY KEEFE-Treasurer, DAWN DETRING – BITS OF DEMENTS Editor and Founder, SUE HOWELL and ELIZABETH YOUREE-Co-Chairpersons of the 1987 Reunion.

Charter Members of the DEMENT FAMILY ASSOCIATION when it was formed in 1986.

The first person listed in the family is the Dement descendant.

RICHARD and DOROTHY BARNES	JOSEPH “Joe” J. BROWN
FLOSSIE and CARL BUECKNER	LUCILLE and ORVILLE CAMPBELL
GLENNA and ROBERT CARLSON	DORIS and JOHN C. CLARK
DOROTHY DEMENT	HOWARD and RUTH DEMENT
KENNETH and VERONICA DEMENT	DAWN and Dr. KENNETH DETRING
JODIE and WILFORD HELSLEY	MARILYN and VERNON HOLMES
OLLIE FLOYD “O.F.” and SUE HOWELL	THELMA and CHARLES IHRIG
BETSY and HARVARD KEEFE	TERRY and BRIEN KOEHLER
HAZEL LaFRENIERE	EDNA and A. E. McKEECHNIE
DORIS and WILLIAM MOORE	ALICE “Elise” NEMETZ
MARTHENA “Marty” & JAMES O’ROURKE	NORMA and FRED ORTIZ
BIRDIE MAE and MARION D. ROGERS	GRACE and CHARLES STONE
CHARLOTTE and GERALD TUCKER	SARAH and ED WARNER

National reunions became a cherished tradition soon after the Association’s formation. The first national Dement Family Association Reunion took place in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 1987, offering a rare chance for relatives from all over the country to meet face‑to‑face after connecting through the newsletter. In later years, reunions were held in cities such as Huntsville, Alabama; Nashville, Tennessee; Springfield, Ohio; Waldorf, Maryland; Shreveport‑Bossier City, Louisiana; Cambridge, Ohio; and Bridgeton, St. Louis County, Missouri, reflecting the wide geographic spread of the family. Each gathering has combined fellowship, historical presentations, and plenty of time to share photos, stories, and research.

“BITS OF DEMENTS” remains at the heart of the Association’s identity. Established from the very beginning as a quarterly newsletter, it has typically run about twenty pages per issue, filled with family news, historical sketches, reunion reports, and research notes submitted by members. In recent years, rising printing and postage costs have reduced BITS to just two or three issues per year, limiting how often the Association could share updates with its members. The continuation of “BITS OF DEMENTS” using WordPress on the DementHub.org website will bring the Association firmly into the digital age, making it easier to publish more frequently, reach more relatives, and keep content current. This online format will revitalize BITS and its relevancy, ensuring that the original vision from 1986—to keep the Dement family informed, connected, and proud of a shared history—remains strong for generations to come.

Adapted from: Holmes, Marilyn. DEMENTS THROUGH THE AGES – A Family History and Migration: the Dement Family Association, page iv, Copyright 200