Dennis S. Howell

Dennis “Denny” Sullivan Howell aka "Lefty", 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Rockford on November 30, 2021. Born in Rockford, Illinois on February 8, 1946 son to John and Helen (Smith) Howell. Denny started school at St. Patrick's Catholic School, and went on to graduate from Boylan Catholic High School in 1964. Denny met the love of his life, Janice Stanley and they married in Rockford on April 27, 1968. Denny began his career as an engineer at National Lock, he worked there for 20 years. He continued in the tool and dye industry and retired in 2008. Denny had a passion for baseball throughout his entire life and played for many ball teams including The Grasshopper Tap, RMA & Blackhawks. He was honored in 2019 when he was inducted into the USSSA Illinois Hall of Fame. In his free time Denny enjoyed playing golf, fishing and taking his dog Laci on a golf cart ride down to the river. Some afternoons you might find him at a local watering hole enjoying a Miller Lite; Thank you to all the gals that took good care of him.. you know who you are! Fond memories the family will cherish are the trips they took together to numerous places including Mexico and Florida. Denny greatly enjoyed the time he spent gathering with family and friends.

He will be missed by those who loved him most, the love of his life for over 53 years, Janice; his sons Kevin (Jenny) and Scott (Mikhaele); his grandchildren Kenzie, Maddie, Stephanie, Morgan, Drake, Dawson and Dylan; his great grandson Gunnar; siblings Karen (Bill) Klaske, Patricia “Pat” Cascio, brother in law Kevin Carney, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; siblings Bruce (Ruth) Howell, Kathleen Carney, Nancy (Julio) Pro, brother in law Victor Cascio and Janice’s parents, Lois and Jim Stanley.

Visitation will take place Sunday, December 5th, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Road, Rockford, Illinois 61103. Requiem Mass will take place the following day, Monday, December 6th, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary Oratory, 517 Elm Street, Rockford, Illinois 61102. Burial to take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Hand family, without their help Denny and Janice wouldn’t have had so many years of laughter and love. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Oratory. To send online condolences, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com