Dennis White Obituary
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Dennis was born April 4, 1940, to Harold and Mabel White in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from DeLaSalle High School in 1958 and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, he met the love of his life, Ritsuko. After completing his service, Dennis returned to Okinawa to marry her, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in faith and commitment.
Dennis built a distinguished career in public service as a federal employee, a role that took his growing family across the globe until his retirement in 2000. In retirement, he fulfilled a lifelong calling by becoming a Catholic deacon, through which he joyfully served his parish and community.
Dennis and Ritsuko shared nearly 65 years of marriage, raising four children while cultivating a home grounded in faith, resilience, and love. They enjoyed gardening together, often tending their plot at the Geneva Community Garden.
They are survived by their children: Nancy (Shiv) of New York City; Carol (David) of Geneva, Illinois; Daniel of Ketchikan, Alaska; and Cathy (Jason) of San Jose, California; and seven grandchildren: Michael, Rachel, Sarah, Varun, Benjamin, Rosie, and Max.
Dennis is survived by his siblings Mary (Richard), John, James (Sherry), and Howard, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Kathleen.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 12, 2025, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 W State Street A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, St. Charles. The interment will be at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL on Tuesday September 16, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. An honor guard will provide military rites in honor of Dennis.
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed using the link below.
https://www.sjnstcharles.org/watch-mass-online
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Hyun-Sik Jake Chung
September 11, 2025
May God rest in peace souls of Dennis and Ritsuko White. We'll offer a requiem mass for their souls at Sangchon Catholic Curch in Suwon, South Korea, our parish church.
In deep sorrow with love,
Jake and Sophia Chung,
Suwon,South Korea
Joan Lanphier
September 9, 2025
I am so sad to hear of Deacon´s passing! We would chat after 8:35 mass. He just spoke of his grandson visiting last week. He would talk about his children and his stories about Vietnam. He always gave me copies of lovely prayers. So beautiful that he and his wife went to the Lord together.
He was a dear. Joan Lanphier
Ken Weinberg
September 7, 2025
I just saw Dcn Dennis on Friday at Mass. He would always acknowledge me at the Sign of Peace. He was on my mind a lot lately. I wanted to see him about blessing another shaker of salt for me because the one he gave me pre-Covid is almost empty. On Friday morning after Mass I felt a tug to go to adoration. There was nobody else there. I sat and prayed. Then I heard the door open and some rustling and I knew it was Dcn Dennis. Sure enough as I left I saw him. He smiled and waved to me as I left. I smiled and waved back "Hey Deacon". Wish I had known that would be the last time I´d see him. I would have stayed longer.
To his children, he always spoke highly of you. He was very proud of you. Thank you for letting us have him for a time. Semper Fi Deacon Dennis. You will be missed brother Knight.
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