Thomas F. Dennis, 66, passed away at 12:15 a.m. Sunday (June 29, 2014) at his residence in Ogden, surrounded by his loving family.
His Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at St. Patrick's Church in Bloomington, with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Bloomington. Full military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 89367, Tampa, FL 33689, www.specialops.org. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington has been entrusted with arrangements.
He was born May 16, 1948, at Oak Lawn, the son of John E. and Florence (Belz) Dennis. He graduated from Normal Community High School in 1966. Tom retired from the University of Illinois as a herder in 2008.
Tom served honorably in the U.S. Army for 7 1/2 years and received numerous awards, earning many badges during his service with the Army. He volunteered for three tours of duty in Vietnam serving with the 2nd of the 47th Mechanized Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, 5th Special Forces Group, MACVSOG's, The Red Hats, and as a Pathfinder for the 1st Calvary Division.
He earned the Green Beret, the Special Forces Recondo Patch, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd award with V Device), Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service medal with seven campaign stars, National Defense service medal, Good Conduct Medal, Master Parachutist badge (Freefall Qualified), Pathfinder badge and Expert Infantry Badge.
He is survived by Mary McMahon of Ogden, his partner of 28 years; his son, USMC Gunnery Sgt. John "J.D." (Tania) Dennis, and three grandchildren, Ethan, Sean and Madeleine of Virginia; his daughter, Mary Kate Dennis, Ph.D. (Matthew Crawford) and his granddog Henry of Lawrence, Kan.; his son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael (Miranda) Dennis and grandson, Darren Francis, due in August of El Paso, Texas; his mother, Florence Dennis; his brother, Patrick Dennis and niece, Shannon; and his sister, Kate (Larry) Rousey and nieces, Sarah and Kaeleigh of Bloomington.
He readily lent a helping hand to his friends and family. His passion was breeding and raising cattle. He enjoyed the outdoors with hunting and fishing.
Tom was outgoing and never knew a stranger. He had a sense of humor and could tell a good story which everyone could hear across the room with his booming voice. He was well-read, enjoyed history, current events, and having heady discussions with his loved ones.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiblerbradyruestman.com.
His Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at St. Patrick's Church in Bloomington, with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Bloomington. Full military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 89367, Tampa, FL 33689, www.specialops.org. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington has been entrusted with arrangements.
He was born May 16, 1948, at Oak Lawn, the son of John E. and Florence (Belz) Dennis. He graduated from Normal Community High School in 1966. Tom retired from the University of Illinois as a herder in 2008.
Tom served honorably in the U.S. Army for 7 1/2 years and received numerous awards, earning many badges during his service with the Army. He volunteered for three tours of duty in Vietnam serving with the 2nd of the 47th Mechanized Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, 5th Special Forces Group, MACVSOG's, The Red Hats, and as a Pathfinder for the 1st Calvary Division.
He earned the Green Beret, the Special Forces Recondo Patch, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd award with V Device), Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service medal with seven campaign stars, National Defense service medal, Good Conduct Medal, Master Parachutist badge (Freefall Qualified), Pathfinder badge and Expert Infantry Badge.
He is survived by Mary McMahon of Ogden, his partner of 28 years; his son, USMC Gunnery Sgt. John "J.D." (Tania) Dennis, and three grandchildren, Ethan, Sean and Madeleine of Virginia; his daughter, Mary Kate Dennis, Ph.D. (Matthew Crawford) and his granddog Henry of Lawrence, Kan.; his son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael (Miranda) Dennis and grandson, Darren Francis, due in August of El Paso, Texas; his mother, Florence Dennis; his brother, Patrick Dennis and niece, Shannon; and his sister, Kate (Larry) Rousey and nieces, Sarah and Kaeleigh of Bloomington.
He readily lent a helping hand to his friends and family. His passion was breeding and raising cattle. He enjoyed the outdoors with hunting and fishing.
Tom was outgoing and never knew a stranger. He had a sense of humor and could tell a good story which everyone could hear across the room with his booming voice. He was well-read, enjoyed history, current events, and having heady discussions with his loved ones.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiblerbradyruestman.com.
Thomas F. Dennis, 66, passed away at 12:15 a.m. Sunday (June 29, 2014) at his residence in Ogden, surrounded by his loving family.
His Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at St. Patrick's Church in Bloomington, with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Bloomington. Full military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 89367, Tampa, FL 33689, www.specialops.org. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington has been entrusted with arrangements.
He was born May 16, 1948, at Oak Lawn, the son of John E. and Florence (Belz) Dennis. He graduated from Normal Community High School in 1966. Tom retired from the University of Illinois as a herder in 2008.
Tom served honorably in the U.S. Army for 7 1/2 years and received numerous awards, earning many badges during his service with the Army. He volunteered for three tours of duty in Vietnam serving with the 2nd of the 47th Mechanized Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, 5th Special Forces Group, MACVSOG's, The Red Hats, and as a Pathfinder for the 1st Calvary Division.
He earned the Green Beret, the Special Forces Recondo Patch, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd award with V Device), Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service medal with seven campaign stars, National Defense service medal, Good Conduct Medal, Master Parachutist badge (Freefall Qualified), Pathfinder badge and Expert Infantry Badge.
He is survived by Mary McMahon of Ogden, his partner of 28 years; his son, USMC Gunnery Sgt. John "J.D." (Tania) Dennis, and three grandchildren, Ethan, Sean and Madeleine of Virginia; his daughter, Mary Kate Dennis, Ph.D. (Matthew Crawford) and his granddog Henry of Lawrence, Kan.; his son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael (Miranda) Dennis and grandson, Darren Francis, due in August of El Paso, Texas; his mother, Florence Dennis; his brother, Patrick Dennis and niece, Shannon; and his sister, Kate (Larry) Rousey and nieces, Sarah and Kaeleigh of Bloomington.
He readily lent a helping hand to his friends and family. His passion was breeding and raising cattle. He enjoyed the outdoors with hunting and fishing.
Tom was outgoing and never knew a stranger. He had a sense of humor and could tell a good story which everyone could hear across the room with his booming voice. He was well-read, enjoyed history, current events, and having heady discussions with his loved ones.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiblerbradyruestman.com.
His Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at St. Patrick's Church in Bloomington, with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Bloomington. Full military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 89367, Tampa, FL 33689, www.specialops.org. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington has been entrusted with arrangements.
He was born May 16, 1948, at Oak Lawn, the son of John E. and Florence (Belz) Dennis. He graduated from Normal Community High School in 1966. Tom retired from the University of Illinois as a herder in 2008.
Tom served honorably in the U.S. Army for 7 1/2 years and received numerous awards, earning many badges during his service with the Army. He volunteered for three tours of duty in Vietnam serving with the 2nd of the 47th Mechanized Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, 5th Special Forces Group, MACVSOG's, The Red Hats, and as a Pathfinder for the 1st Calvary Division.
He earned the Green Beret, the Special Forces Recondo Patch, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd award with V Device), Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service medal with seven campaign stars, National Defense service medal, Good Conduct Medal, Master Parachutist badge (Freefall Qualified), Pathfinder badge and Expert Infantry Badge.
He is survived by Mary McMahon of Ogden, his partner of 28 years; his son, USMC Gunnery Sgt. John "J.D." (Tania) Dennis, and three grandchildren, Ethan, Sean and Madeleine of Virginia; his daughter, Mary Kate Dennis, Ph.D. (Matthew Crawford) and his granddog Henry of Lawrence, Kan.; his son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael (Miranda) Dennis and grandson, Darren Francis, due in August of El Paso, Texas; his mother, Florence Dennis; his brother, Patrick Dennis and niece, Shannon; and his sister, Kate (Larry) Rousey and nieces, Sarah and Kaeleigh of Bloomington.
He readily lent a helping hand to his friends and family. His passion was breeding and raising cattle. He enjoyed the outdoors with hunting and fishing.
Tom was outgoing and never knew a stranger. He had a sense of humor and could tell a good story which everyone could hear across the room with his booming voice. He was well-read, enjoyed history, current events, and having heady discussions with his loved ones.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiblerbradyruestman.com.
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