Marne Helgesen
on 09/20/2023 at 7:36 pm
May you all find peace . . . Memories and happiness have an indelible footprint on the lives he touched… yours included, of course! Godspeed his journey to the lord.
ReplyDenny Keith Cain
CAIN
Denny Keith Cain, 77, of Sparta, IL, formerly of Hughes, AR; born July 4, 1946 in Bucoda, MO, the son of Everett Cain and Goldie (Lincoln) Thompson; went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.
A gifted teacher and storyteller, Denny first used his talents as a Baptist preacher. After graduating magna cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University, he became a history teacher at Hughes High School until he retired. He was loved by his students not only for stories, but also for the fact that he truly cared about them. He told stories about growing up on a cotton farm in Missouri and being stationed in Hawaii while serving in the US Air Force. Denny loved reading (especially John Steinbeck), fishing, gun collecting and shooting. He would’ve walked all the way to Nashville to see Patsy Cline and was a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was also a football Cardinals fan, although he was devastated when they left St. Louis.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Douglas Thompson and his parents, Joe and Goldie Thompson.
Denny is survived by his wife – Rosemary Cain of Sparta, IL, who shared his love of the St. Louis Cardinals; favorite sister – Cathy (Keith) Bateman of Sikeston, MO; daughter – Kristy (Chris) Bentley of Conway, AR, who inherited his love of reading and napping; bonus children – Mark G. (Tracey Bean) Robert of Wildwood, MO, Julie (Don) Wilsey of Florida, and Matthew (Molly) Robert of Urbana, IL; three grandchildren – Drake (Clarissa) Robert, Drew Robert, and Danielle Rose Robert all of Bloomington, IL; one great grandchild on the way; numerous nieces and nephews; he will also be fondly remembered by countless friends and former students.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Good Samaritan hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL for their kindness and compassion.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Louis Children’s Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorial Contributions may be sent to Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home, 111 West Main Street, Sparta, Illinois 62286.
Condolences may be left online for the family at www.heilschuessler.com.
Graveside Services will be held at St. Pius V Catholic Cemetery in Walsh, IL on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Friends and Family are asked to meet at the cemetery.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements
23 Comments
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Annette Amaya Tolleson on 09/20/2023 at 10:12 pm
Rosemary and family,
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I am so sorry to hear about Cain passing. He was great World History teacher at Hughes High. Great memories will always be with me. Prayers for you all. Rest in peace Cain and fly high.-
Deanna Mcdermott on 09/21/2023 at 6:36 am
So sorry to hear Mr. Cain passed away! I hated history but he really made it interesting. Definitely one of my favorite teachers. May he rest in peace! Prayers for his family and friends.
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Melinda Patrick on 09/20/2023 at 9:40 pm
Kristy, we are shocked to hear that Denny has passed away. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers!
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Marina Lu on 09/20/2023 at 9:58 pm
Dear Mr. Cain~ May you rest in peace. I remember your World History class fondly and you were definitely part of my favorite memories of Hughes High School!
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Amy Campbell on 09/20/2023 at 10:28 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Cains passing. Please know that you, his family and his friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. Cain could light up any room. He will be missed and was so loved!
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Yolanda Curne on 09/20/2023 at 10:28 pm
This is so sad to hear
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He was the best caring funny teacher ever -
Christina Chadwick Potts on 09/20/2023 at 10:39 pm
So heartbroken to hear Mr.Cain has left us sending Prayers to his family. Je was a true hero in my eyes after I got paralyzed he would stand outside the door to make sure I didn’t fall out of my chair. He always made me laugh and loved his stories God has blessed us all with his presence 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️
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Nina Brown on 09/20/2023 at 10:53 pm
Kristy, I was shocked to hear that Denny has passed away. I will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers! Sending love. Nina Brown
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Darren Smith on 09/21/2023 at 2:57 am
Mr. Cain was an exceptional educator and someone who cared about his students beyond the books. During my years there, Hughes High School was filled with true educators, and he was one of those who served with distinction. His no nonsense approach to education directed many of us towards success. He will truly be missed🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.
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Shelia Anderson on 09/21/2023 at 4:59 am
He was one of my favorite teachers with a heart of gold. I’m so sorry to hear about his passing. May you find strength in God.
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Jennifer Moore on 09/21/2023 at 8:48 am
I have so many wonderful memories of Mr Cain he was a wonderful teacher and my husband and I have great memories of him. Prayers for the family.
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Erika Jackson on 09/21/2023 at 10:41 am
Mr. Cain was one of the best history teacher I ever met. He was truly a delightful person. He made sure his students enjoyed his class while learning. He will truly be missed and remembered.
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Lynda Wise on 09/21/2023 at 12:19 pm
Kristy,
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We were shocked to hear of Denny’s passing. We enjoyed knowing him and working with him.
Our prayers are with you and your family. -
Coach Webb and Brenda Webb on 09/21/2023 at 2:12 pm
It was a pleasure to work with Denny at Hughes High School and to know him as a friend. He had such a way with people of all ages. He had an easy comfort that made us all feel at home in his company. Kristi, Coach Webb and I send our prayers for you and the family.
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Gregory Latham on 09/21/2023 at 4:13 pm
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Cindy Gall on 09/21/2023 at 2:31 pm
Fly high, Mr Cain. Your daughter is one of the best. She represents you well. I feel like I knew you from her stories. You will be missed and remembered.
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Judy barnes on 09/21/2023 at 4:07 pm
My deepest sympathy for the loss Mr Cain was one of my favorite teachers he will truly be missed. My prayers are with the family
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Gregory Latham on 09/21/2023 at 4:11 pm
Mr. Cain was one of the most dearest teachers I had at Old Hughes High. His class was truly a learning experience and it was because of his warm heart and great stories. My dear friend Kristi, may God be with during this difficult time. On behalf of The Latham Brothers, we offer our love and condolences ❤️
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Cana Able (Bickerstaff) on 09/21/2023 at 8:35 pm
Mr. Cain was one of the greats and his legacy will live on in all of his former students. I can still hear him telling us to “get the green machine” (trash can) when he caught us chewing gum. He wrote in cursive so fast on the chalkboard, it was hard to get all the notes before he erased them to write more. Amazing memories I will always have for him. My prayers are for peace and comfort for your family during this difficult time.
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Claudia Kerens on 09/21/2023 at 11:55 pm
Rosemary and family, Please accept my condolences and sympathies. Prayers for you and yours.
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Jim on 09/22/2023 at 9:10 am
Thank you, Denny, for taking such good care of Rosemary, as she did for you. May you rest in peace!
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Denise Ebers on 09/22/2023 at 2:37 pm
Gary and I are very sorry to hear of your loss Rosemary. Prayers and deepest sympathy.
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Thank you, Denny, for taking such good care of Rosemary, as she did for you. May you rest in peace!
Gary and I are very sorry to hear of your loss Rosemary. Prayers and deepest sympathy.
Rosemary and family, Please accept my condolences and sympathies. Prayers for you and yours.
Mr. Cain was one of the greats and his legacy will live on in all of his former students. I can still hear him telling us to “get the green machine” (trash can) when he caught us chewing gum. He wrote in cursive so fast on the chalkboard, it was hard to get all the notes before he erased them to write more. Amazing memories I will always have for him. My prayers are for peace and comfort for your family during this difficult time.
Mr. Cain was one of the most dearest teachers I had at Old Hughes High. His class was truly a learning experience and it was because of his warm heart and great stories. My dear friend Kristi, may God be with during this difficult time. On behalf of The Latham Brothers, we offer our love and condolences ❤️
My deepest sympathy for the loss Mr Cain was one of my favorite teachers he will truly be missed. My prayers are with the family
Fly high, Mr Cain. Your daughter is one of the best. She represents you well. I feel like I knew you from her stories. You will be missed and remembered.
It was a pleasure to work with Denny at Hughes High School and to know him as a friend. He had such a way with people of all ages. He had an easy comfort that made us all feel at home in his company. Kristi, Coach Webb and I send our prayers for you and the family.
Coach Webb, how are you, friend? Long time, no see!!
—Gregory Latham
Kristy,
We were shocked to hear of Denny’s passing. We enjoyed knowing him and working with him.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Mr. Cain was one of the best history teacher I ever met. He was truly a delightful person. He made sure his students enjoyed his class while learning. He will truly be missed and remembered.
I have so many wonderful memories of Mr Cain he was a wonderful teacher and my husband and I have great memories of him. Prayers for the family.
He was one of my favorite teachers with a heart of gold. I’m so sorry to hear about his passing. May you find strength in God.
Mr. Cain was an exceptional educator and someone who cared about his students beyond the books. During my years there, Hughes High School was filled with true educators, and he was one of those who served with distinction. His no nonsense approach to education directed many of us towards success. He will truly be missed🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.
Kristy, I was shocked to hear that Denny has passed away. I will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers! Sending love. Nina Brown
So heartbroken to hear Mr.Cain has left us sending Prayers to his family. Je was a true hero in my eyes after I got paralyzed he would stand outside the door to make sure I didn’t fall out of my chair. He always made me laugh and loved his stories God has blessed us all with his presence 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️
This is so sad to hear
He was the best caring funny teacher ever
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Cains passing. Please know that you, his family and his friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. Cain could light up any room. He will be missed and was so loved!
Dear Mr. Cain~ May you rest in peace. I remember your World History class fondly and you were definitely part of my favorite memories of Hughes High School!
Kristy, we are shocked to hear that Denny has passed away. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers!
May you all find peace . . . Memories and happiness have an indelible footprint on the lives he touched… yours included, of course! Godspeed his journey to the lord.
Rosemary and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Cain passing. He was great World History teacher at Hughes High. Great memories will always be with me. Prayers for you all. Rest in peace Cain and fly high.
So sorry to hear Mr. Cain passed away! I hated history but he really made it interesting. Definitely one of my favorite teachers. May he rest in peace! Prayers for his family and friends.