Rev. Dennis D. Kollross

Rev. Dennis D. Kollross, 67, of Chatham, passed away at 6:20 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2015 at St. John's Hospital. Fr. Dennis was born April 1, 1948 in Urbana, the son of Joseph J. and Mary Frances (Phillips) Kollross. Fr. Dennis attended SIUC and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management, as well as a master's degree in Rehabilitation Administration. He then attended Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Fr. Dennis was ordained on May 30, 1981. His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar from 1981-1985 with St. Agnes in Springfield, IL. Following that, he was assigned to St. Norbert in Hardin, IL, St. Michael in Michael, IL, St. Anselm in Kampsville, IL and St. Agnes in Belleview, IL from 1985-1989. From 1989-2004, he was assigned to St. Thomas the Apostle in Decatur. During that time, he was also the Newman Chaplain at Millikin University from 1992-2004 and the Catholic Chaplain at Decatur Correctional Center beginning in 2000. Fr. Dennis served as Sacramental Priest at St. James in Decatur from 2003-2004 and Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Mattoon from 2004-2013. In 2013, he became Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker in Chatham. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, John Kollross, Jr. He is survived by two brothers, Charles (wife, Carolyn) Kollross of New Lenox, IL and Jack (wife, Susan) Kollross of Gibson City, IL; several nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and great-nephews, and his beloved pets, Sadie and Max. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 East Spruce St., Chatham. An additional memorial gathering will be held from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 534 North Wood St., Gibson City, IL. Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, celebrant and Rev. Jeff Goeckner, homilist. An additional Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Holinga, celebrant. Burial will follow at Drummer Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Commission for the Care of Infirm and Retired Priests, 1615 West Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702.