Kenneth P. Dunlavy Sr., age 80, of Buffalo Grove, IL (formerly of Clintonville, WI) passed away on Friday, April 9, 2021.
Ken was born in Bear Creek, Wisconsin on May 19, 1940 the son of Clarence “Pete” and Ava Jane (Christensen) Dunlavy. He graduated from Clintonville High School and then from Ripon College in Ripon, WI. He also received a Master’s Degree from the College of Notre Dame. He married Stephanie (Rowland) in 1962 and they were blessed with five children as well as guarding over many more children throughout the years. Ken honorably served our country in the United States Marine Corps for 29 years, as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War and after as a helicopter pilot, retiring as a Colonel. Ken worked as a pilot for American Airlines for 28 years, retiring as a Boeing 777 Captain. He is a former member of St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville, and was a longtime active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Buffalo Grove. He will be remembered for his hearty Irish laugh, love of storytelling, and getting the most joy in life in helping others and never expecting anything in return. He loved spending time with his family and especially grandchildren, spending time on his farms with his brothers, and coaching his sons in football at St. Mary and St. Viator. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many.
Ken is survived by his wife of 58 years, Stephanie (Rowland) and his children: Kelly (Mike) Berkowitz, Sean (Angi) Dunlavy, Ken Jr. (Dawn) Dunlavy, Colleen (Mark) Bucalo, Brian Dunlavy, and Mary Uhde; grandchildren: Ashley, Kyle, Justine, Lauren, Taylor, Logan, Joshua, Zachary, Grace, Ava, Paige, Ken III, Haley, Sydney, Emma, Kyle B., Anne, Olivia and Kennedy; great-grandchildren: Gia, Mac, Tessa, Brady, and Lucas, many nieces and nephews, and siblings: Patsy Warmbrunn, Dennis Dunlavy, Jane Clem, Chris Patterson, Brian Dunlavy, Tim Dunlavy. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Terry and Donnie.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 17th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O. Praem will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Military Honors will be provided at the cemetery by members of the VFW Post 664, American Legion Post 63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, all of Clintonville. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of mass at the church. A private family celebration of Ken’s life will be held at a later date in Buffalo Grove. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, is assisting with the arrangements. Please go to http://www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to send a card to the family.