Dennis George Dunford

Dennis George Dunford, 83, of Hanover Park, IL, formerly of Astoria, NY, and Clarksville, TN passed away on Wednesday January 10, 2024. He was born on August 18, 1940, in Marion, Virginia to Maxine nee Hutton and George Dunford.
Dennis leaves behind his loving children Robert Dunford, William (Kimberly) Dunford, James (Sandra) Dunford, Joseph Dunford, and Kathleen (Rudolf) Reitmann. His adored grandchildren Joshua Dunford, Michael Dunford, TJ Dunford, Nicholas Dunford, Rudolf Reitmann, James Reitmann and Andrew Reitmann. His siblings Frank (Pat)Dunford, Barbara (Larry) Testerman, and Patsy (Jimmy) Walters. Dennis also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and close friends he will be deeply missed by.
Dennis was preceded in passing by his parents, his beloved wife of 56 years Mary nee Valvano, his siblings Raymond (Edna) Dunford, Elizabeth (Ed) Haga and Audrey (Frank) Hearrell.
The firstborn of seven, Dennis was born at home and grew up in the mountains of Marion Virginia tending to the family farm and garden. His favorite pastime was gathering wild blackberries, cherries and strawberries and wading through the cool water of Good Pasture Holler Creek. Dennis attended Marion High School, class of 1958, and his first job was at the historic Marion Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. In October of 1959, Dennis joined the Army where he served as a paratrooper until 1962. In 1961, Dennis met the love of his life, Mary, at Cardinal Spellman Servicemen's Club, NYC. They were married on July 7th 1962 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarkesville, TN where they settled for the first ten years, having had five children.
After moving to Astoria, New York, Dennis worked as the manager of the Union Club in NYC for many years. He enjoyed his interactions with high society club members and guests, but most enjoyment came from discussing what the guests were reading, and from getting lost in the club's vast library where he discovered the writings of Saint Augustine, Thomas Merton, G.K. Chesterton and Winston Churchill.
Dennis loved to spend time with family. His children and grandchildren will always remember Sunday dinners, family vacations at the beach and digging in the garden with him. Dennis was a long-time member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarkesville, TN, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Astoria, NY and later at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville, IL and participated in lecturing ministry. One of Dennis's hobbies was photographing nature. His children have many pictures he sent them from his walks around Herrick Lake.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Catholic Charities would be appreciated.
The Visitation will be held on Tuesday January 16, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Friedrich Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St. Naperville, IL 60540. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday January 16, 2024, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 36 N Ellsworth St, Naperville, IL 60540. Burial with Military Honors will be at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton following the mass.
The Funeral Service will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in person. In the event of any technical difficulties during the live-stream a recording of the ceremony will be available afterwards.