82, of St. Louis, MO, born July 25, 1940, died Monday September 12, 2022, at his home surrounded by his beloved family. Dennis is the son of the late Francis and Eileen Hearne, loving husband of 53 years to Mary Ellen “Marty” Hearne (nee Ruffino), cherished father of Kelley Shylanski (Todd) and Jenn Schmitt, loving grandpa to Ty, Taylor, Jake and Josh, dear brother to Gary Hearne (Laura), the late Steve Hearne (Sandy), and the late Missy Rudy (Jeff). Brother-in-law to Rose Richardson (Don) and the late Tony Ruffino (Myra), and beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Denny is a graduate of Belleville Township High School and was a member of the Belleville Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 1955-1958. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. Denny was ranked as an Airman First Class (A1C). He is a 1973 graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice. Denny was a St. Louis Metropolitan police officer from 1967-1974 and a United States Postal Inspector from 1974-1997.
Denny was a pioneer in coaching and leading in women’s soccer for nearly 50 years at the youth, high school (Villa Duschene), and collegiate level (UMSL). He successfully coached teams to State, Regional and National Championships. He also served on the St. Louis Youth Soccer Assoc. (SLYSA) Executive Board as well as coached for the Missouri Olympic Development teams (ODP). He was proudly awarded the Missouri Youth Soccer Assoc. (MYSA) coach of the year in 1992. Denny was a mentor and an advocate for many players within Busch, St. Louis Soccer, St. Louis Scott Gallagher and Kolping Kicks Soccer Clubs.
Behind his sunglasses, his players ran many miles and mountains and performed countless pushups with the pursuit of being the best they can be. Nearly every one of his players that he coached went on to play collegiate soccer, but most importantly he taught life lessons through the Beautiful Game.
Denny was the happiest and most fulfilled when he was with his family. With the most infectious smile, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved supporting his grandchildren whether it be on the sideline of a sport or school event. He was an avid reader, history buff, loved adventures, and the occasional gas station snack.
The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and staff at Siteman Cancer Center for the care and treatment of Denny.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, jdrf.org.
Services: Visitation at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Thursday, Sept. 22, 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Fri. Sept. 23, 10 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church (4900 Ringer Rd., 63129) Interment J.B.. National Cemetery.
We love you all!
We love you all!
So very sorry for your loss, Kelley. What an accomplished man he was. Our prayers for your family, your Mom and sister and your extended family.
So very sorry for your loss, Kelley. What an accomplished man he was. Our prayers for your family, your Mom and sister and your extended family.
So sorry for your loss, he was an amazing man and will be missed
So sorry for your loss, he was an amazing man and will be missed
My deepest sympathy .. Missy adored him and they are reunited in Heaven’s glory. May the love and memories keep his spirit alive as you celebrate his love and life through those on earth that he touch. peace and Love
My deepest sympathy .. Missy adored him and they are reunited in Heaven’s glory. May the love and memories keep his spirit alive as you celebrate his love and life through those on earth that he touch. peace and Love
He will be missed by so many. My heart goes out to the family. Prayers.
He will be missed by so many. My heart goes out to the family. Prayers.
Kelley,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He sounds like he was an amazing man. My heart goes out to you and your family. Praying for all of you to find a way to endure the grief of his loss.
Kelley,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He sounds like he was an amazing man. My heart goes out to you and your family. Praying for all of you to find a way to endure the grief of his loss.
A good man, we had the privilege of knowing. Our deepest sympathy.
A good man, we had the privilege of knowing. Our deepest sympathy.
He will be greatly missed! My best and favorite Coach ever! We all loved him so much! Prayers, hugs and kisses to the Hearne Family…LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
He will be greatly missed! My best and favorite Coach ever! We all loved him so much! Prayers, hugs and kisses to the Hearne Family…LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
Denny was such a great friend. From the time we shared as recruits in the police academy through the next 50+ years of life we always could count on one another. As a beloved member of our wedding party Susie and I enjoyed our times we shared with Denny and Marty. We will miss him deeply and cherish his and Marty’s friendship. We love both of you.
Denny was such a great friend. From the time we shared as recruits in the police academy through the next 50+ years of life we always could count on one another. As a beloved member of our wedding party Susie and I enjoyed our times we shared with Denny and Marty. We will miss him deeply and cherish his and Marty’s friendship. We love both of you.
So sorry to hear this sad news, Marty and family. Sending love and prayers.
Love,
Nancy, Elton and Katie Hodel
So sorry to hear this sad news, Marty and family. Sending love and prayers.
Love,
Nancy, Elton and Katie Hodel
Our sincere condolences to you and Marty we will pray for peace to all of you during this loss of such a good husband , father, friend and grandfather. Grant him eternal rest o Lord and let your perpetual light shine up on him.
Our sincere condolences to you and Marty we will pray for peace to all of you during this loss of such a good husband , father, friend and grandfather. Grant him eternal rest o Lord and let your perpetual light shine up on him.
He will be greatly missed by our family. We loved him so much. We are praying for all of you during this difficult time.
Love,
Amy, Matt, Hannah, and Abby
He will be greatly missed by our family. We loved him so much. We are praying for all of you during this difficult time.
Love,
Amy, Matt, Hannah, and Abby
Denny had a profound and wonderful effect on our daughter that steered a course for her to this day.
Denny had a profound and wonderful effect on our daughter that steered a course for her to this day.
I am so sorry for your loss. Denny was an exceptional man who had such a positive influence on my daughter Lauren. Denny was so important to her and to many players that played for him. He was one of those once in lifetime persons that you want your kids to be around. RIP Coach and thanks for being an exceptional and positive influence to my daughter and all the girls that had the honor of playing for you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Denny was an exceptional man who had such a positive influence on my daughter Lauren. Denny was so important to her and to many players that played for him. He was one of those once in lifetime persons that you want your kids to be around. RIP Coach and thanks for being an exceptional and positive influence to my daughter and all the girls that had the honor of playing for you.
I am so sorry for your great loss Holding your family in prayer.
I am so sorry for your great loss Holding your family in prayer.
So very sorry for your loss. I love to you Marty and the girls. I know your grandsons will miss him terribly. And I know you’re wonderful granddaughter will be lost without him. You are a wonderful family. I was so lucky to have known you. My love to you all.
So very sorry for your loss. I love to you Marty and the girls. I know your grandsons will miss him terribly. And I know you’re wonderful granddaughter will be lost without him. You are a wonderful family. I was so lucky to have known you. My love to you all.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Denny was an excellent soccer coach who helped our daughter succeed on the field and in life.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Denny was an excellent soccer coach who helped our daughter succeed on the field and in life.
Marty, we are so sorry to hear of Denny’s passing. He was a great fellow to be around and party with. He was a wonderful partner as an Inspector in Cincinnati and we will always treasure our memories of you both. The very best to you and Denny’s extended family..
Marty, we are so sorry to hear of Denny’s passing. He was a great fellow to be around and party with. He was a wonderful partner as an Inspector in Cincinnati and we will always treasure our memories of you both. The very best to you and Denny’s extended family..
So so sorry to hear this news. Denny was an amazing man, and always brightened our day. We only had a short time together as neighbors, but we’ll never forget our talks and the stories he would tell us. Sending our strongest prayers for the family and his loved ones.
So so sorry to hear this news. Denny was an amazing man, and always brightened our day. We only had a short time together as neighbors, but we’ll never forget our talks and the stories he would tell us. Sending our strongest prayers for the family and his loved ones.
The picture and the smile show so much. A wonderful guy whom I enjoyed particularly working at SMMA soccer tournaments. A wonderful advocate for girl’s soccer. So glad to have known him. Praying for his soul and his family’s peace.
The picture and the smile show so much. A wonderful guy whom I enjoyed particularly working at SMMA soccer tournaments. A wonderful advocate for girl’s soccer. So glad to have known him. Praying for his soul and his family’s peace.
I have such wonderful memories of time spent with Denny. I loved his smile ! Always positive and honest. Denny lived a life worth emulating. Thinking of you Marty and family.
I have such wonderful memories of time spent with Denny. I loved his smile ! Always positive and honest. Denny lived a life worth emulating. Thinking of you Marty and family.
My prayers go out to Marty, Kelley and Jenn. On behalf of Mark, Matt and Michael please accept our condolences as Denny will always be remembered for his genuine love of family and all that living a good life stands for. May his strong convictions live on in his grandchildren. I know how much he will be missed by his family and soccer family.
My prayers go out to Marty, Kelley and Jenn. On behalf of Mark, Matt and Michael please accept our condolences as Denny will always be remembered for his genuine love of family and all that living a good life stands for. May his strong convictions live on in his grandchildren. I know how much he will be missed by his family and soccer family.
Proud member of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter, National Association of Retired Postal Inspectors. He was one of the good ones. RIP Denny, you will be missed. I have known him since he was a St. Louis Police Officer. He never changed.
Proud member of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter, National Association of Retired Postal Inspectors. He was one of the good ones. RIP Denny, you will be missed. I have known him since he was a St. Louis Police Officer. He never changed.
We extend our sympathy and prayers at this time of loss.
Denny was always such a great guy, and was a good role model for obtaining goals and living life as well as possible. Proud to have him as a cousin to look up to.
Our condolences to Marty, Kelley, and Jenn, Gary and all the family.
We extend our sympathy and prayers at this time of loss.
Denny was always such a great guy, and was a good role model for obtaining goals and living life as well as possible. Proud to have him as a cousin to look up to.
Our condolences to Marty, Kelley, and Jenn, Gary and all the family.
We know Dennis was a wonderful husband and father. Thank you for supporting him, in his faithful and sincere dedication to the soccer world. A true role model to all. Always remember you provided him with the best care.
We know Dennis was a wonderful husband and father. Thank you for supporting him, in his faithful and sincere dedication to the soccer world. A true role model to all. Always remember you provided him with the best care.
I had the pleasure of working with Dennis at the St. Louis Police and later when he was a Postal Inspector. Always kind, professional and fun to be with. Recently reconnected at our retiree luncheon group. Fond memories of Dennis, Marty and sister Roni.
Peace my old friends!
Dan Duffy
I had the pleasure of working with Dennis at the St. Louis Police and later when he was a Postal Inspector. Always kind, professional and fun to be with. Recently reconnected at our retiree luncheon group. Fond memories of Dennis, Marty and sister Roni.
Peace my old friends!
Dan Duffy
Marty and family, please accept our sincere expression of sympathy. You are and will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Marty and family, please accept our sincere expression of sympathy. You are and will be in our thoughts and prayers.