Dennis "Denny" Price

Dennis “Denny” David Price of Lakeland, FL, and formerly of Rockford and Joliet, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at the Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven FL.  He was born May 10, 1945, to Robert and Ila (Johnson) Price in Rockford, Illinois.  He was one of two children (Judy).  Denny is survived by his mother, Ila Price of Stevens Point WI; sister, Judy Moffat (Jeffrey) of Stevens Point WI; wife, Connie; his two children, Kathie Beesley (Joel) of Champaign IL, and Matt Price (Harmonie) Land O’ Lakes FL; and six grandchildren, Lucas, Jacob and Samuel Beesley; Vance, Cassidy and Finnley Price; stepchildren, Camie Ciembronowicz (John), Kim Dailey (Tim), Dana Joiner (Terry), and Troy Corey (Veronica); step-grandchildren, Connor and Christian Ciembronowicz, Luke, Jace, Zach, and Emma Joiner, and Heather Corey.  He was proceeded in death by his father, Robert Price in 2011, and his first wife, Shirley (Vance) Price.  Denny grew up in Rockford on a farm where he developed a work-ethic and creativity which he turned into a career.  He was very active in the local 4H Club and won many awards.  He graduated from Auburn High School and crossed state lines to Indiana to attend Purdue University.  At Purdue, Denny studied Chemical Engineering and graduated in 1967.  Following graduation, Denny married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Vance in March of 1968.  They packed up everything and moved to El Segundo, CA where they lived for seven years.  Denny and Shirley returned to Joliet, Illinois in September 1975, with two children in tow.  They bought a home in the Camelot Subdivision and immediately became active in their community and church (Messiah Lutheran), making lifetime friends along the way.  In Joliet, Denny used his detail oriented mindset to turn his business United Machine and Tool into a success.  When away from work, he enjoyed time with neighbors and family.  Denny was an avid softball player with a canon for a left arm.  He played on many traveling squads while in California and Illinois against some of the best teams in the country.  Together, he and Shirley found a love of music and dance, trips to Aruba, and attended many church functions.  After Shirley’s passing in October of 2002, Denny and longtime family friend, Connie Bradbury (Rockford) courted and eventually married on February 14, 2004, in Rockford, IL.  Denny and Connie spent most of their time in Rockford, but found time to enjoy spring trips to Aruba, summers in Wisconsin, and the winter months in Florida.  The past few years have been a challenge as Denny was diagnosed with ALS in 2014.  While this disease gradually stole his ability to move, it could not penetrate his mind or spirit.  Sharp to the very end, Denny kept up on news, sports and most importantly his family.  In his final days, he was still engaged in conversations, giving guidance, precise driving directions and many jokes.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, September 21, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 1305 Blackhawk Blvd, South Beloit.  A memorial service will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, September 22, at the church.  Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Machesney Park.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church in South Beloit, IL.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd. 401 River Lane, Loves Park, IL.