Dennis “Denny” Lee Kirchner, 70, of Springfield died Saturday, December 23, 2017 at St. John's Hospital, following complications due to heart surgery.

He was born October 14, 1947 in Estherville, IA, the oldest of eight children. He was the son of Roy and Lorraine Kirchner. He married Lark Nelson on August 29, 1970.

He was preceded in death by his father; a son at birth; and mother-in-law, Norma Kneer.

Denny was a graduate of the University of Iowa with degrees in Physics, Math and Astronomy. He retired from CIPS/Ameren after 32 years of service. He was also active in Master Gardener of the University of Illinois and was selected Master Gardener of the Year in 2017. His passions were family, friends, baseball and football, gardening, travel, craft brew, and his cats.

Survivors include beloved wife Lark; son, Zachery; mother, Lorraine; seven siblings, Virginia (Ron) Carlson, Carol (Bob) Jensen, Barbara (Mark) Valen, Tom Kirchner, Janet (Bruce) Anderson, Craig (Jane) Kirchner and Michael (Sharon) Kirchner; two in-laws, Robin Foster and Kristin (John) Trask; and eighteen nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017 at the Church of the Little Flower with Fr. Allen Kemme officiating.  Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Inner City Mission of Springfield, The Dominicans of Springfield or Animal Protective League of Springfield.

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