Jack Dennis

Jack Wayne Dennis, 78, of Saint Charles, MO (formerly of Peoria, IL and Cadiz, KY), died Monday, July 16, 2012 at St. Joseph Health Center in Saint Charles, MO. He was born August 17, 1933 in Cape Girardeau, MO to the late Clyde Wayne and Geraldine Elizabeth (Crosnoe) Dennis. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joanna Louise (Caskey) Dennis of Saint Charles, MO; his son, Clyde Reid Dennis (Christine) of Dunlap, IL; his daughter, Susan Elizabeth Dennis (Scott Turpin) of St. Peters, MO; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Karen Nell Flowers of Leoma, TN. Jack was a 1951 graduate of Central High and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. In June of 1954 he entered the reserves and began studying engineering at SEMO and finished the program in 1956. He went on to earn a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1959 where he was a member of Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor fraternities. Jack earned an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He worked for 32 years at Caterpillar Inc.'s Technical Center in Mossville, IL, primarily in diesel engine research and development holding various supervisory and management positions. He was active in Boy Scouts, serving as Neighborhood Commissioner, a Cub Pack Leader, Scoutmaster, a District Training Chairman and a Council Training Chairman. Jack received the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver Award and was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. He served on various training staffs and was course director for Junior Leader Training and Wood Badge courses. In 1995 he retired from Caterpillar and moved with his wife to Cadiz, KY where he was active in volunteer organizations; was a Big Brother, did Tax Counseling for the Elderly under the VITA/TCE program and was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, having served as a Coxswain, a Vessel Examiner and a Flotilla Commander. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 19, 2012 from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Womens Care Center Peoria of Peoria, IL.

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Jack Dennis

July 16, 2012