Fr. Kevin Richard Fane, OP
Fr. Kevin Richard Fane, OP, 82, died December 7, 2024. He was born August 5, 1942, to Leo and Florence Fane in Dixon, IL. He attended elementary school at St. Mary’s in Dixon and High School at Dixon Public High and Newman Central Catholic High in Sterling, IL. He spent two years at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, before entering the Dominican Order on August 30,1962. He professed first vows on August 31, 1963. He finished his undergraduate studies in philosophy from the Aquinas Institute in River Forest and professed solemn vows in 1966. In 1969 he earned a Master of Theology from the Aquinas Institute and was ordained in Dubuque, IA, on May 24, 1969.
His first assignment was teaching theology at St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans between 1970 and 1972. After this, he moved to Minnesota for 10 years, where he served at Holy Rosary Parish and St. Catherine University from 1972 to 1982.
He then ministered at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison until 1989, before settling at St. Vincent Ferrer Priory in River Forest in 1992. At St. Vincent Ferrer, Fr. Kevin found profound joy as a hospital chaplain at various hospitals around Chicago, notably at Presence Resurrection Medical Center, where he served for 18 years until his retirement in 2020. His ministry as a hospital chaplain is especially remembered by those who knew him. He had a welcoming demeanor and was a very joyful brother, especially when sharing endless stories about his hometown to his community.
Fr. Kevin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and, after several years of declining health, moved to Ascension Resurrection Life Center in 2021. He was moved to hospice care earlier this year and passed on December 7. He is survived by his sisters Elaine Berkenpas (husband Larry) and Helen Hoyle and many nieces and nephews from his beloved hometown of Dixon, IL. He was preceded in death by sisters Patricia Van Oosten and Marilyn Shulte.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 13, at 11:00 am at St. Pius V Parish, 1901 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, preceded by Office of the Dead at 10:30 am. Interment at All Saints Cemetery.
Memorial Donations to the Dominican Friars, 1910 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608-2904, www.opcentral.org, are greatly appreciated.
