Streator Times Press
John Dent
10/27/2004


John “Jack” E. Dent, 63, of 615 S. Illinois St., died at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen’s Church. Monsignor Jerome Ham will be the celebrant. The Streator Fire Department will provide an escort to the church and cemetery.


Music for the Mass will be provided by soloist Ricardo Dittmer accompanied by organist Sharon Hatzer. Songs will include “In the Garden” and “On Eagles Wings.”


The Streator Fire Department will conduct a fireman’s ritual at the church following the Mass.


Interment will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery. Full military rites including honor guard, firing squad, taps and flag folding will be conducted at the cemetery by Streator Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post #217 and Streator Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1492.


Pallbearers will be brother-in-law, Maurie Ryan; nephews, Kevin Ryan and Jeff Heckman; cousin, Harry Dent; and Bob Babczak, Paul Marx and George Starkey.


Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren, Abigail Dent and Edward John Garber; retired firefighters, Jack “Peanuts” Moore, Dale Blakemore, Richard Benner, Robert Lee Sr., Bill Dovin, Robert “Pug” Tkach, Charles “Tutty” Howell, Mike Abdnour, Bob Williamson and Henry Araujo; active firefighters, Fire Chief William Wissen Jr., Joe Scarbeary, Kurt Snow, Ken Berta, Rick Liptak, Tom Risley, Fred McClellan, Dave Kupec, Bryan Park and Tim Bradley; and Third Degree Monsignor George A. Dzuryo Council #790 Knights of Columbus members.


Visitation will be held from 3-8 p.m. Friday at Solon, Baker & Telford Funeral Home. The rosary will be recited at 3 p.m.


Born July 22, 1941, in Streator, he was the son of John and Margaret Mae (Williamson) Dent. He married Patricia “Pat” Juricek on June 25, 1966, at St. Stephen’s Church. She survives.


Also surviving are a daughter, Darnell (Mrs. John) Garber of Low Point; a son, John (Angie) Dent of Morris; two grandchildren, Abigail Dent and Edward John Garber; and his mother-in-law, Margaret Juricek of Streator.


He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Andrew Juricek.


He resided in Streator all of his life. He attended Streator grade schools, graduated from Streator High School with the Class of 1960; and earned an associate’s degree in fire science from Joliet Junior College.


He served in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the USS Barry DD933.


He was a retired lieutenant firefighter from the Streator Fire Department where he served 31 years. He started the Friendly Fireman program in local grade schools; coached girls softball and Streator Youth baseball; a member of Polish National Alliance Group #433 and was a Third Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council #790.


He was a life member of Streator Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1492; a member of Streator Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post #217, Streator Amvets, and was on the ritual team for military honor guard for funerals.


Memorials may be directed to the Peoria Chapter of Easter Seals United Cerebral Palsy or the Catholic Charities Adoption Services.