Jim E. Dennis

 

Jim Everett Dennis, 73, of Quincy, formerly of Warsaw, IL passed from this life at home surrounded by his family on July 4, 2022.  

 

Jim was born on August 31, 1948 in Pea Ridge Township, Brown County, to George W.  and Fern (House) Dennis. He married Sharon Green in 1967. Later he married Margaret F. Johnson (Casady) on June 24, 1989.

 

He graduated from V.I.T. high school in 1966 and from Western Illinois University in 1970. Jim was the first in his family to earn a college degree.  He had been an educator, teaching in the classroom, substitute teaching, and working in various special education roles for many years. After 22 years with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, where he worked as a child welfare specialist, abuse and neglect investigator, and in licensing foster homes, Jim retired in 2008 to focus on his ever-growing family, hobbies and volunteer work. He had a passion for service in his local community and beyond. Jim was an ordained elder in the Warsaw Presbyterian Church and a deacon in the Table Grove Community Church. He had been a Cub Scout leader, hospice and Blessing Hospital volunteer. Jim was unapologetically liberal and religiously progressive and had a diversity of friends.

 

Jim loved people, games, and competitions, frequently gathering people together to participate in trivia, quiz bowl, croquet, fantasy football, and family poker games. He created many competitions just to get “his people” together.  He read thousands of books, tried his hand at writing one himself, bowled in local and national tournaments, coached softball, umpired, and loved watching women’s basketball. He sponsored 3 on 3 teams for over 20 years, paying entry fees and buying matching shirts for the youth who participated. As a young adult, Jim managed his own slow pitch softball teams and tournaments for several years. He loved babies, holding them on his lap and making sure to count each of their toes.

 

His wife, Margaret Johnson-Dennis, of Quincy, survives. He is also survived by children David Dennis (Ruthie) of Plymouth, Randall Dennis (Tracy) of Chelsea, MI, Jonita Brunier (Chris) of Quincy, Amy Dennis-Morton (Thomas) of Bloomington, William Casady (Barbara) of Warsaw, Debra Casady-Roskamp (Max) of Sutter, and Paul Casady of Keokuk, IA.   One brother, Ted Dennis (Linda) of Belleville, special “pseudo-son”, Kevin Moon of Adair and a very special nephew that was like a little brother, Carl Beebe (Robin) and his Beebe crew of Vermont also survive. Grandchildren include Jeremiah (Karen), Phillip, Danielle, Colton (Michelle), Victoria, Elijah, Payton, Hannah, Taylor, Alexander, Adalyn, Isabella, Jenna (Steve), Megan, Rachel (Kevin), John (Christy), Justin, Janelle, Joel, and Jessica, and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews who have looked to Jim as the family patriarch.  

 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Lyndelle Dennis, George C. Dennis, Linda Dennis Sheets, Johnny Dennis, Benny Dennis, Nancy Dennis Beebe, Erma Dennis, infant sister Peggy Dennis; his infant daughter Ann Marie Dennis, and grandson Gavin Roskamp. 

 

Jim had survived the many health challenges of a genetic disorder, Marfan Syndrome, most of his adult life and lost several siblings and nieces to this disease.  He survived multiple open-heart surgeries, but could not defeat the cancer that took his life.

 

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church of Warsaw or to CASA Advocacy Network for Children, 1420 Harrison St., Quincy, IL 62301.

 

Visitation will be from 3 pm to 8 pm on Friday, July 15, with family meeting friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw, Illinois. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Warsaw on Saturday, July 16, at 11 a.m. with family meeting friends from 10 a.m. until time of service. Interment of the ashes will follow services at Oakland Cemetery in Warsaw.

 

Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.

 

Printy Funeral Home of Warsaw is in charge of arrangements.