Obituaries
Dennis A White
April 4, 1940 - September 5, 2025
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VISITATION
September 12, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday - Yurs Funeral Home 1771 West State Street (Rte 38) Geneva
- Funeral Mass
- September 13, 2025 | 10:30 A.M. Saturday
- St. John Neumann Catholic Church St. Charles
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Burial Location
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Il
Dennis White of Geneva, Illinois, was killed in a tragic car accident on September 5, 2025. His sudden passing leaves a deep void in the lives of family and friends.
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
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Condolences
Tanya M. Goulding from Geneva, IL
"I'm so sad to hear the news of Deacon Dennis and his sweet wife Ritsuko's sudden passing. I had the pleasure of getting to know them when they attended St. Peter Church in Geneva. "May the angels be your guide, may they lead you into paradise, and take you home, to the new Jerusalem"."
Lisa O'Leary Volk from Geneva, IL
"My heart breaks and this earth lost two beautiful souls. I had the pleasure of meeting both Dennis and Ritsuko when they initially moved to Geneva and became members of St. Peter. I sat near Dennis at almost every 8:35 AM Mass at St. Peter from their very first day here including the morning of the accident. Dennis touched countless lives through his Ministry as a Deacon and during his time serving our Country as Chaplain in the Korean War. I have truly never met a more faithful, kind, loving person in my life. We love you both. God bless his family and friends. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
Ken Weinberg from Geneva, IL
"My prayers for his family. He always had good things to say about you all. I will miss seeing Dcn Dennis at daily Mass where he always looked over to share the Sign of Peace. He was on my mind for the past week and then I saw him at adoration on Friday morning after Mass. Had I known that would be the last time I would see him I would have stayed longer. Semper Fi. Vivat Jesus!"
Eileen and Harold Hagen from Geneva, Il., IL
""We so enjoyed our friendship with Dennis & his lovely wife, Ritsuko. We had a plot in the Geneva Community Gardens and became friends because of our love for gardening. It was always nice to see them in their garden, working side by side tilling, planting and pulling weeds. Dennis was a wealth of gardening knowledge and so willing to share. We will always remember their devotion to each other and their plants. Our condolences to their family and everyone touched by their friendship.""
Tanya Mazin from Naples, FL
"The Mazin family expresses our deepest condolences to Nancy Ramamurthi and her immediate and extended family. May the memory of her parents be a blessing."
Bob Schoffman from Seoul Korea, TX
"Dennis was an inspiration to the Catholic Community in Armed Forces Korea. His leadership and spirituality are still remembered in the English Speaking Cusillo Community. Our prayers and condolences are sent to his family members. Rest in the peace of the Lord Dennis and Ritsuko"