Harry Dandelles

Lifelong Kankakee resident Harry Dandelles passed from this life on Saturday evening July 9, 2016. He was born on February 9, 1925, the second son of Greek immigrant parents Gus and Eoanna (Ahvramedes) Dandelles. He graduated from Kankakee High School in 1943 and joined the US Navy shortly thereafter. On December 30, 1944 he married Lorraine Margaret Richard. While in the service he pursued his college education at various universities near where he was stationed and graduated from Northwestern University with an Accounting degree in 1948. Harry was employed as an accountant at A. O. Smith then as an owner manager of the Dandelles Bowling Lanes until the business was sold in 1969. After the sale, he gained his teaching certification and taught business classes at Bradley Bourbonnais High School until his retirement in 1990. He was a lifelong active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kankakee and served many years as the church President, Vice President and Treasurer. He was a Scouting leader while his boys were young. He touched many lives as an active volunteer with many civic and charitable organizations, the most cherished of which were his attainment of 33rd Degree Mason and membership in Medinah Shriners, where he also served as Treasurer of the local Masonic Lodge. In addition to his parents and beloved wife of 65 years, Lorraine, he was predeceased by his brothers James Dandelles and wife Clara, George Dandelles and wife Marie, Brother-in-law Robert Richard and wife Gloria, and son Richard Dandelles. He is survived by sons Harry G. Dandelles and wife Barbara of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Tom Dandelles and wife Eileen of Kankakee. Grandchildren Stefan Dandelles and wife Dina of Evanston, Illinois, Sarah Dandelles of Chicago, Amy McKinney Van Gilder, of Kankakee, Stephanie Morin and husband Matt of Kankakee, Joseph McKinney and fiancé Kary Harling of Kankakee all mourn the loss of their Papou or Papa. He was very proud of his great-grandchildren, Ioanna, Nikoletta and Klearchos Dandelles; Dawson, Dylan and Drew Van Gilder; Tyler, Jaden and Joey McKinney. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 pm on Tuesday at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, Kankakee. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, until the 10:00 a.m. funeral service at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Shriners Hospital for Children or the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Harry Dandelles

February 9, 1925 - July 9, 2016