Dennis L. Oliver
Dennis Lee Oliver, 69, of Quincy, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died on December 28, 2023, at Quincy Healthcare & Senior Living, surrounded by his family.
Dennis was born to Gale and Imogene (Reed Oliver) on December 15, 1954 in Pittsfield, Illinois. He graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1973 and attended Hannibal LaGrange College and Quincy College. Dennis married Lori Ann (Miller) on May 1, 1999.
Dennis began his life-long career in radio at Pittsfield’s WBBA radio station where “something clicked.” He went on to work at Quincy College’s radio station before moving back to Pittsfield. In 1984 Dennis went on-air at WQCY in Quincy, where he launched a new era of radio in the area, the Top 40.
Dennis started as morning host at KRRY (now known as 100.9, the Eagle) where he would serve as morning host until his retirement in 2016. Dennis was a familiar, friendly voice to listeners throughout the Quincy area for over 40 years. On the event of his retirement, Mayor Kyle Moore declared December 16, 2016, as ‘Dennis Oliver Day’.
In addition to his long career on the radio, Dennis was committed to the Quincy Community. He was involved in many organizations including the Special Olympics and D.A.R.E. Along with his co-host and long-time friend, Jeff Dorsey, Dennis was helped to begin the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Dennis was awarded the Crimestoppers’s Outstanding Board Member award in 2003 and was named citizen of the year by Quincy’s Police Department. He was also a proud, lifetime member of the ZZ Top Fan Club.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in law, Russ and Lucy Miller; stepson, Mark Bocke; sister-in-law Sandy Fleshner; brother-in-law, Don Henderson; nephew, Brett Miller; and his beloved dog, Chance.
He is survived by his wife, Lori, his son, Kory Oliver (fiancée Natalie) of Wentzville, MO; stepchildren, John Bocke II, Kyle (Jera) Bocke, Nick Bocke, all of Quincy and Rachel (Nathan) Wallen of Macomb; three grandchildren, Harrison Bocke, Finley and Maxwell Wallen; and his dogs, Scooter, and Jack. He is also survived by 5 brothers and sisters in-law, Lesly (Rex) Hicks and Susie Henderson of Hannibal, MO, Randy (Debbie) Miller and Rusty (Sondi) Miller of Quincy, and Rick (Mary) Miller of Riverview, FL. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home; a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Ambiance, 5225 Kochs Ln., Quincy. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or the Mark Bocke Scholarship Fund at Quincy Notre Dame. Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com.
Cory may your father rest in peace.
So sorry for the passing of your father . Cory and family.
I remember listening to him on the radio for many years made me laugh and smile Thank You and condolences to all who knew him
D O and the big Dawg
Two of the best on the air
Thoughts with many memories of this man who kept a smile and a great attitude through it all.
Rest in peace !!!
I will never forget when they used to tell jokes that listeners would email to them and I just happened to email a joke one day. As they were talking about the joke and telling the joke, Dennis stopped Jeff in the middle of the conversation and said, “what really caught our attention on this joke really wasn’t so much the joke as it was the email address it came from. My email address at the time was the same as my license plates: POONME2. If you sound it out you get the correct reading and the nickname i gave my daughter when she little; HOWEVER if you are Dennis and The Big Dawg your mind wonders to unknown places and comes back with some pretty tall tales to tell ya. So they talked about my email address, I called into the radio station while at work that morning and we had a great laugh and made a memory with 2 people who have seen me out in public but have no clue its me. MAY DENNIS RIP HE WAS SUCH A GREAT MAN!!!
Kory……My condolences go out to you and your family. He was a great guy & will be greatly missed.
I remember Dennis as a funny and up to the minute DJ. I always enjoyed listening to him. So sorry for your loss.
D.O was a welcome ear to me many mornings. I enjoyed listening to him and Big dog. Always with a laugh and a smile on my face. RIP D.O you have a great personality to light up Heaven even more!!
Lori, Cory & family,
I was somehow led to Legacy.com to post my condolences as were others, and find it will not post here. I want you to know you are all in my thoughts & prayers. The pain you have suffered these past years is more than anyone should ever have to bear. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease that affects not only the one it strikes, but all those near them.
Dennis was a remarkable person with a beautiful smile that radiated his entire personality. My mind is flooded with memories of being a part of his radio family.
I pray our Heavenly Father will continue to grant you strength & courage to make it through this trying time. May he welcome Dennis into the home he has prepared for us where he will be free of the disease and hopefully we will meet again.
Memories of Dennis Oliver will remain “in” the air for years to come and who knows: Reggie may already have the Heavenly Radio station ready to go: “live on (in) the air”. Could it be WHEV?
God be with you all & grant you peace! My love & prayers are with you all!
Listened to him for many years,won prizes and had the opportunity to know him! There is no replacement for such a humbled man! Prayers to Cory and family and all who grew up listening to a great man!! Rest in Heaven Dennis!
Dennis was a great guy. We had fun playing volleyball on the same team. My condolences Lori and family.
Kory, your Dad was the best! We were like brothers. I was the best man in his wedding and he was my best man in my wedding. When he found out he had Alzheimer’s I think it hit me harder than him. Having had Alzheimer’s in my family, I knew the war and the fight he was about to enter. Was he frustrated with it? Yes, but he never really complained about it, at least not to me. That was D.O. He was the most compassionate, fun-loving guy you would ever want to meet. I don’t think he ever had an enemy in his life. He loved everybody. The 99Q originals are now down to two of us. We lost Reggie Coleman almost 5 years ago, David P. Norman in November of last year and now D.O. All gone, but never to be forgotten. Dennis and I both had our moments in our lives where there were highs and there were lows. He was my go to guy during those times and I was his. I will miss him for that and a million other reasons. R.I.P. my good friend!
Kory, your Dad was the best! We were like brothers. I was the best man in his wedding and he was my best man in my wedding. When he found out he had Alzheimer’s I think it hit me harder than him. Having had Alzheimer’s in my family, I knew the war and the fight he was about to enter. Was he frustrated with it? Yes, but he never really complained about it, at least not to me. That was D.O. He was the most compassionate, fun-loving guy you would ever want to meet. I don’t think he ever had an enemy in his life. He loved everybody. The 99Q originals are now down to two of us. We lost Reggie Coleman almost 5 years ago, David P. Norman in November of last year and now D.O. All gone, but never to be forgotten. Dennis and I both had our moments in our lives where there were highs and there were lows. He was my go to guy during those times and I was his. I will miss him for that and a million other reasons. R.I.P. my good friend!