September 2021

Pastor Dennis Gary FitzPatrick, 71, of Manteno, Illinois passed away on Monday, September 13, 2021, at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois.

He was born on October 9, 1949, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Robert Lee and Fern (Ferguson) FitzPatrick. He married Marsha Carlson on September 4, 1970, in Brentwood, Pennsylvania.

Dennis has a Master of Divinity degree and was a retired Lutheran Minister. He served the following congregations during his ministry: Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL (1983-1995); Shepherd King Lutheran Church, West Bloomfield, MI (1995-2007); First Lutheran Church, Blytheville, AR (2007-2016); retiring Emeritus (2017).

He enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, he dearly loved his grandchildren and enjoyed every minute spent with them, he enjoyed being a minister and helping in congregations who needed him, he enjoyed tinkering with computers, reading, drawing and at one time loved being a schoolteacher and working on cars.

His love of helping others was evident in his work at the inner city ministries and serving as Chaplin at Cook County jail for several years in addition to his current role filling in for Pastors as needed.

He is survived by his children; Dennis Jr. (Kara) FitzPatrick, of Yuma, CO, DeAnn (Tawan) Saykawlard of Highland Park, IL, and Aaron (Odalis) FitzPatrick of Palos Park, IL; 2 brothers, Robert (Jan) Fitzpatrick of North Olmstead, OH, Paul (Mary) FitzPatrick of Wilton, IA; and a sister, Sheryl FitzPatrick of Rogers, AR; a sister-in-law, Janet FitzPatrick of Baltimore, MD; 3 grandchildren, Andrea and Samantha FitzPatrick, Fionn Saykawlard; several nieces and nephews and his loving dog Molly.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and a brother, David FitzPatrick (2017).

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., October 9, 2021, at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 1881 W Division St., Manteno, Illinois.

Called to Glory – Rev. Dennis Gary FitzPatrick