Jess Dennis

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Jess Dennis, lifelong resident of Harrisburg, passed from this life on Sunday morning, July 27, surrounded by loving family at the home of his sister in Harrisburg.

Jess was born Feb. 28, 1918, as one of six children to Claud Gern and Lillie Mullinex Dennis, both of whom are deceased. Siblings who preceded him in death are Ione Dennis Thomas, Audrey Dennis Walker, Lowell Haywood Dennis and Thelma Fay Dennis Parris. One sister, Margaret Dennis Hawkins of Harrisburg, survives.

A host of friends and relatives on whom Jess' life had a positive impact will continue to honor his life and memory. He leaves the following nieces and nephews: Jackie Ramsey, Harrisburg; Melinda Waller-Snow, Bourbonnais; Susan Speckman, Benton, Ky.; Emily Park, Cedar Hill, Texas; Priscilla Hawkins, Harrisburg; and Dennis Walker, Atlanta, Ga.; many great-nieces and nephews survive, as does his treasured friend, Omalee Muensterman, of Eldorado.

Mr. Dennis was a Christian, having accepted and professed Christ as the atonement for his sins as a young adult. He regularly attended First Baptist Church in Harrisburg, where he was a member of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class. Jess' examples of integrity, forthrightness, positive work ethic, and trustworthiness leave an unquestioned legacy for his progeny.

Mr. Dennis was a contributing member of the community all his life, having worked at Dairy Brand as an accountant and office manager for many years until its closing. He was also employed at WSIL Television for a number of years, as well as at the theater. Jess served on the board of the Golden Circle and the Egyptian Council on Aging for many years. He was civic-minded and family-driven, raising his niece, Melinda, after her mother's death and caring for his aging mother until her death. His family knew him to be a steadfast rock of strength for them and one on whom they could always depend.

Visitation was from 5 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at Weirauch-Gibbons Funeral Home, where the memorial was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Burial was at Sunset Lawn.

In accord with Mr. Dennis' values and appreciation of learning and integrity of life, he asked, before his death, that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, as a living memorial and an inspiration for young people who choose Christian vocations.