Gregory Dennis

WILMINGTON— Gregory Dennis, 61, of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, MN as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV accident.
Born June 20, 1959, in Gibson City, IL, Gregory William was a son of Charles William and the late Phyllis Ann (Becker) Dennis. He was raised and educated in Champaign where he attended Holy Cross School before graduating from Champaign Central High School with the Class of 1977. On August 1, 1989 Greg married Venita Mary Plese in St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington. Greg was a member of St. Rose in Wilmington, as well as the National Bass Association.
During his high school years, Greg was employed at Jerry’s IGA Super Value in Champaign. He went on to work in the family business and managed Super Value in Wilmington and South Wilmington. Most recently he worked as an over the road truck driver. Greg had a passion for fishing and took pleasure in woodworking. He enjoyed the outdoors, nature rides, and riding his four-wheeler. Greg was an avid Illini and Chicago Cubs fan, and was proud to be a part of bringing two big families together as one, the Dennis and Plese families.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years Venita; his father, Bill Dennis, of Wilmington; four brothers: Ted Dennis, of Mokena; Chuck (Julie) Dennis, of Bloomington; Marty (Machko) Dennis, of Gurnee; Tony Dennis, of Fort Wayne, IN; Julie Dennis and Kris Dennis, both of Bloomington; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Addie Dennis, of Wilmington; John (Jackie) Plese, Jim (Debbie) Plese, Jay (Katrina) Plese, all of Wilmington; Joe (Jane) Plese, of Goose Lake; Jacque Plese (Alex), of Wilmington; Janelle (Dave) Knight, of El Paso; Jacquelyn (Bob) Rink, and Jina (Al) Ward, both of Wilmington; and  Larry Rhodes, of Carlinville; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Greg was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Dennis; brother, Matt Dennis; nephew, Christopher Dennis; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Donita and Jim Plese; sister-in-law, Suzy Rhodes; and his best friend, Shawn Marmion.
The family will receive friends for a visitation on Saturday, August 8, 2020 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Face masks requirements and measures of safe social distancing practices will be in order, and the funeral home staff will assist the family not to exceed the safe number set forth for both the visitation and service.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church,  604 S. Kankakee Street in Wilmington, with Reverend Sebastian Gargol and Deacon Jay Plese presiding. Those wishing to participate in Greg’s services are invited to watch the live stream starting at 11:30 a.m. by logging onto his memorial page. Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral service.
Pallbearers will be Ted Dennis, Chuck Dennis, Marty Dennis, Tony Dennis, John Plese, Jacque Plese, Bob Rink, Larry Rhodes, Al Ward, and Dave Knight. Jim and Joe Plese will be act as honorary pallbearers.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Greg’s memory to his family for their distribution.
Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Greg's memorial page on social media by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/obituary/Gregory-Dennis
Funeral services and arrangements are being made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington.