Dennis "Denny" J. Marchand

Dennis (Denny) J. Marchand of Washington, IL (formerly of Kewanee, IL) passed away at 12:26 p.m., Sunday, September 29, 2024 at the OSF Hospice Home in Peoria, IL in the presence of family.

Born to Frank & Florence (DeDecker) Marchand on January 29, 1935 in Atkinson, IL. Denny graduated from Annawan High School with the Class of 1953. He married Marie L. DeKeyser on September 1, 1956 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kewanee.

He served in the US Navy from 1954-1956 aboard the USS Waldron (DD 699) Destroyer out of Norfolk, VA. He worked at "Red's" Garage in Annawan before and after his active-duty service, prior to attending The American Institute of Commerce in Davenport, IA where he received an Advanced Accounting Degree. He began his accounting career in 1959 at "Buddy L" Corporation in East Moline, IL. In 1968 he joined Hyster Company Construction Equipment Division in Kewanee, IL. As staff accountant, he spent 23 years at Hyster, with four years as Controller at the Sulligent Alabama plant (1972-76) returning to Kewanee as Division Controller until 1991. He was Controller at Kewanee Farm Equipment for three years prior to retiring as Division Controller in 1999 from Bixby Zimmer Corp. in Galesburg, IL when the company relocated out of state.

After retirement, Denny assisted, on a part-time basis, four former BZ employees to establish a start-up company, B. Deo-Valente, Inc. (BDI), a manufacturer of stainless-steel screens similar to the BZ product line. He provided accounting and financial reporting services for several years.

Denny coached Farmer's Elevator Farm League Youth Baseball team then the Kiwanis Little League team. He was an active member of the Kewanee Community as member & Past President of the Kewanee YMCA, member of the Visitation Athletic Board, member & Past President of Wethersfield High School Board, member of the Kewanee Economic Development Committee (KEDC) and member & Past President of Cedar Creek Illinois (CCI), a subsidiary of KECD of Galesburg.

He was also a fifteen-year member & Past President of the Kewanee Kiwanis Club and was instrumental in the formation of the WHS Key Club and served for several years as the Kiwanis Advisor to the Key Club. He was an active member of the WHS Booster Club serving as timekeeper at basketball and football games for several years.

Denny was a longtime member of St. Mary's Catholic Parish. He served his church as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister of Communion for over 30 years and led a weekly collection counting team for many years. Marie helped him with counting collection and they both served several years as greeters before Mass. More recently, he was a member of St. Patrick Parish in Washington, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of nearly 65 years, an infant son Martin, sisters Doreatha Dennhardt & Jean Vandevoorde and brothers Robert and David. He is also preceded in death by five sisters-in-law, Judy (DeKeyser) Bare, Ruth (Johnson) DeKeyser, Elsie (Vercauteren) Marchand, Rose (DeCrane) Marchand and Marles (Varner) DeKeyser and brothers-in-law, Don, Dick, Bob & Larry DeKeyser, Lloyd Dennhardt, Arthur Vandevoorde, Harry Weston, Ted Bare and William Rambo, Jr.

He is survived by his sons, Matthew (Rebecca) Marchand of Galva, IL and Jason Marchand of Kewanee, IL; daughters, Denise (Seng) Sophanavong and Deanna (Lyle) Baele, both of Washington, IL; granddaughters Molly (Edward) Comarzan, Addison (Sam) Neff, Macy & Maya Sophanavong; grandsons Myles Sophanavong, Brock & Cameron Baele, Mason & Mayes Marchand and sisters Eunice Rambo of Annawan and Judy Renn of Covington of Washington. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Dorothy (DeKeyser) Weston of Washington, IL and Carol (Scott) DeKeyser of Palm Beach, FL and a brother-in-law John (Barbara) DeKeyser of Gresham, OR.

He loved his Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. He and Marie loved following their children and grandchildren in their various extracurricular activities. He liked listening to Kenny G instrumentals; he and Marie saw him in concert three times. He was most fond of his version of "Going Home", a close second and third were John Denver and Reba McIntire, whom they also seen in concert.

Denny enjoyed bass and walleye fishing, especially with his lifelong friend Clyde Salzmann, his brother Dave, his sons, and grandsons. They made numerous trips to Minnesota, Canada, Pennsylvania, and local strip mines. You could also find him picking wild black raspberries when they were in season.

Affectionately known by a childhood nickname "Pinky", Denny had a tremendous impact on the lives of all those he met over his 89 years! With his strong faith, positive attitude, and charming personality, he made friends easily. He was always genuinely interested in the lives of others and enjoyed long conversations catching up with family and friends. Regarded as a mentor, role model and inspiration, many would seek his wise counsel and discernment throughout their lives. He loved to help others in any way possible and was the most incredible caregiver to his wife Marie when she was sick. Denny's children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and caregivers were all fond of his big heart and love of baking delicious treats to share with everyone.

He was well known for his blueberry cookies; a recipe that he and Marie perfected 50 years ago. He recently passed on the formula and technique to his grandchildren.

Denny fought cancer valiantly for 11 years and his unwavering faith and positive attitude were both factors in a successful battle. The years of care he received at the Iowa City VA were exceptional and he forged close relationships with many special healthcare professionals there. Denny is also grateful to Vitas Hospice for the past 9 months providing care in his home and to the OSF Hospice Home for their TLC this past week.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 3 at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee where military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Celebrant will be Fr. Chris Haake. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 2 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m. Cremation will be accorded following the services and inurnment will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Visitation School Athletic Fund or the Wethersfield High School Key Club.

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