Reverend Charles J. Dene, 95, retired priest of Shenandoah, passed away on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Born in Philadelphia on August 25, 1928, Father Dene was the son of the late Charles A. and Josephine E. (Wasch) Dene. Father Dene attended Our Lady of Consolation Elementary School, Philadelphia. He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia. He entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook in 1945, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 15, 1958 by the Most Reverend John F. O'Hara, then Bishop of Philadelphia at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. Father Dene's first assignment was Parochial Vicar, Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Easton; followed by Parochial Vicar, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Allentown, Parochial Vicar, Saint Stephen Parish, Port Carbon, Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Parish, New Philadelphia, Parochial Vicar, Saint Jerome Parish, Tamaqua. Father Dene was Parochial Administrator, Sacred Heart Parish, Mahanoy City. Father Dene's first Pastoral assignment was at Sacred Heart Parish, Mahanoy City, followed by Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Kelayres, and Pastor, Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Pottsville. During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Dene served as Regional Director, Holy Name Society, East Schuylkill County. He also served in full-time Prison Ministry as Chaplain, State Correctional Institution, Frackville and Chaplain, Federal Correctional Institution Schuylkill, Minersville. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were two brothers, Richard Dene and Norman Dene and his wife Gloria. Surviving are three nieces, Patricia Cassidy and her husband Manus, Elizabeth Dene and Margaret Brescia and her husband Michael; one nephew, William Dene and his wife Claudia; great-nieces and great-nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L, Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor, Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah. Main Concelebrants will be Very Reverend Eugene P. Ritz, Vicar for Clergy, Very Reverend James J. Koury, Pastor, Saint Basil the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Utica, New York, Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Pastor, Saint Nicholas Parish, Walnutport, and Monsignor Bocian. Interment on Wednesday morning in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne. Calling hours will be held on Monday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Divine Mercy Church with the Vigil Service at 7:00 PM with Monsignor William F. Glosser, V.F. Presiding and Monsignor Bocian as the homilist. Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements. To offer a condolence to Fr. Dene's family, please sign the guest book below. Viewing Monday, October 2, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Divine Mercy Church 232 West Cherry Street Shenandoah, PA 17976 Vigil Service Monday, October 2, 2023 7:00 PM Divine Mercy Church 232 West Cherry Street Shenandoah, PA 17976 Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, October 3, 2023 11:00 AM Divine Mercy Church 232 West Cherry Street Shenandoah, PA 17976 Interment Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Our Lady of Grace Cemetery 1215 Super Highway Langhorne, PA 19047