Obituary of Rev. Denis E White

REV. DENIS E. WHITE, age 79, of Momence, IL passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at the home of his niece in Jefferson, WI.  He was born on May 30, 1939 in Chicago to John Richard White and Estelle Virginia View White, was baptized at Our Lady of Sorrows in Chicago on June 18, 1939.

            After completing studies at St. Procopius Seminary in Lisle, Denis was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1967 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus by Bishop Romeo R. Blanchette.  His assignments include: St. Rose Parish in Kankakee (1967); St. Walter Parish in Roselle (1971), and St. Joseph Parish in Bradley (1976).

Father White was named pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Gibson City (1978); administrator of Sacred Heart Mission in Hopkins Park (1982); pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Joliet (1987); chaplain of Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee (1989); part-time associate at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Herscher & St. James Parish in Irwin (1989); pastor of St. Peter Parish in Piper City and of Immaculate Conception Mission in Roberts (1992); St. Patrick Parish in Momence and administrator of Sacred Heart Mission in Hopkins Park (1995); pastor of St. Mary Parish in Paxton and St. Joseph Mission in Loda (2002); and pastor of St. Paul Parish in Peotone (2007).  Father White retired on June 24, 2009.

In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Father White was in charge of pastoral care at the Kankakee Senior Citizen High-Rise and Nursing Home (1990-1992) and served as Director of Rural Life for a period of time beginning in 1994.

Denis is survived by his brother Patrick White of Elmwood, IL

Niece Jeanine Howard of Jefferson, WI, nephews Richard (Maria) White of Joliet, IL, Phillip (Cheryl) White of Chicago, IL, Edward White of Chicago, IL.  Many great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Leo White and Edward White.  Four sisters; Virginia McFadden, Lucille White, Genia White, and Ellen White.

The body of Father White will lie in state at St. Patrick Church in Momence on Saturday, December 15, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow immediately at 11:00 a.m.

Cremation rites will be accorded following mass.

Inurnment will take place at a later at the Calvary Cemetery in Piper City, IL.

Memorials may be made in Fr. Denis’s name to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Momence, IL.

 Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in his memory.