By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
6 Comments
  • Visitation

    Tuesday, February 15, 2022

    4:00 to 8:00 pm and

    Wednesday, February 16, 2022

    9:00 to 10:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Wednesday, February 16, 2022

    10:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Dennis J. “Gravy” Kantner, 68, of Highland, IL, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO, with his family by his side.

    Dennis was born October 11,1953 to Victor John “Gravy” and Agnes Louise (nee Franko) Kantner, in Highland, IL.

    Dennis worked at Heidtman Steel for over 30 years.  He attended St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland.

    Dennis was an avid lover of baseball; he played baseball at SIUE, helped coach all ages of little league, and coached the Highland American Legion team.  Dennis loved the St. Louis Cardinals and was a huge Illinois Basketball fan. He spent a lot of time at the Korte Rec Center walking and was a very loved guy around Highland. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids, and never missed his kids’ sporting events as they were growing up.

    He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Agnes Kantner; brother, Larry Kantner.

    Dennis is survived by his children, Mindy (Chris) Amantea, Dusty (Alli) Kantner, Dane (Brian) Johnson-Kantner, Chelsey Kantner; grandchildren, Daxton Amantea, Ashton Amantea, Bennett Kantner; siblings, Laura (Gary) Hearne, David (Juliana) Kantner; nieces, Amy Wiegers, Lindsay Schneider; nephew, Allen Kantner.

    Memorials may be made to HYBSL or Highland Youth Sports Advisory Committee.

    Visitation:  Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Wednesday, February 16, 2022, from 9:00 to 10:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Funeral Service:  Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 10:00 am, Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Clergy:  Fr. Pat Jakel, Pastor, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Highland, IL

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

     

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

6 Condolences
 
  1. David A Varady / February 11, 2022 at 3:52 pm

    Had a lot good times with him. Working together at Heidtman Steel. A great guy and friend. Gonna miss you Grave Digger.

  2. Jerry Riggs / February 11, 2022 at 9:16 pm

    Highland lost a great man!

  3. Jerry Riggs / February 11, 2022 at 9:21 pm

    Highland lost a good man.

  4. James (Joe) Firkus / February 14, 2022 at 11:34 am

    Sorry to hear of the loss of Dennis. I went to St. Paul school, and we were classmates. More than that, we were friends. Dennis and I played on many ball teams together. Including the first “junior high school team” ever started. Our uniforms were a blue “T” shirt with yellow sleeves. Dennis was a competitor with a great attitude.
    He will be missed, and my condolences to the Kantner family.

  5. Gary & Jean Tebbe / February 14, 2022 at 2:30 pm

    Our sympathy to the family, Dennis was a longtime customer of ours and was always a pleasure to talk with. Sorry for your loss.

  6. Carolyn Firestone / February 19, 2022 at 8:14 am

    I’m sending condolences to the family of Dennis Kantner.
    May the memory of good times shared comfort you in this time of
    sorrow.

    Sincerely,

    Carolyn (Isert) Firestone

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