Obituary: Dennis R. Jereb

Dennis Ray Jereb, 74, passed away on June 2, 2024 at his home in Tennessee. Born on February 12, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Cretnik) Jereb. In 1968, Dennis graduated from Hinsdale South High School, Darien, Illinois as part of the first graduating class. Immediately following graduation, Dennis enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for 4 years. Sergeant Jereb was Crew Chief on the 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the "Hurricane Hunters". Upon returning home, he rejoined his father and local neighbors as a volunteer firefighter in the community. He progressed in his firefighting career with Elk Grove Village Fire Department and then served as Captain with Clarendon Heights Fire Department (part of what is now known as Tri-State Fire Department in Westmont, Illinois). Simultaneously, Dennis and his friends started Northern Truck & Tractor Company giving him the flexibility needed as he got married and started a family. Dennis then sold his business and switched careers. He worked for the Village of Clarendon Hills for a while until retiring from Maercker School District 60 as Chief of Maintenance in 2003. Upon retirement, Dennis and his wife Patricia spent the next couple of years traveling across the United States in their RV. In 2009 they found the perfect property and decided to permanently relocate to Huntingdon, Tennessee where he enjoyed gardening, working on his tractors, and improving the ins and outs of their already gorgeous estate.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 wonderful years Patricia Diane (nee Bartusch), his son Joseph W., his two daughters Jennifer L. and Mary L. Szabo (Jason), his grandchildren Natalie, Christian, Nathaniel, William, Daniel, and Katarina. He is also survived by his two sisters, Diana Bottjen (Heidenreich) and Debra Jeffry (Heidenreich). Dennis will also be remembered by his cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, brother John J. Jereb, and his dear aunt Henrietta R. Jereb.

A virtual memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 4:00pm CST. A graveside burial service will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10:00am CST in the Garden of the Lord's Prayer at the Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.