Kenneth Howard Dennis

Kenneth Howard Dennis, son of Harold Joe Dennis and Beulah Faye Hannah Dennis, was born October 19, 1937, on the family farm just north of Mansfield, Missouri, and departed this life on Monday, August 22, 2022, in the same house where he was born, at the age of 84 years, 10 months, and 3 days.

On November 27, 1958, he was united in marriage to Merna Lee Dennis, and to this union 3 sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lee, on August 30, 2020, son, Brian Dennis, on August 25, 2018, sister, Mary Belle Smith, brothers-in-law, Bob Smith, and John Lemons.

Kenneth is survived by sons, Lance Dennis and Jackie, Brett Dennis and wife, Heather, all of Mansfield, sister, Nina Jo Lemons, of Mansfield, grandchildren, Arielle Brennan and husband, Kerry, Brandon Dennis and wife, Jessica, all of Kirkwood, Missouri, Tristan Dennis and wife, Brittani of Mansfield, Jeromey Dennis, of Mansfield, Sharice Jarrett and husband, Landon, of Rogersville, Arik Dennis of Springfield, and Conner Choate of Mansfield, and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Kenneth was born, raised, and lived almost his entire life in Mansfield. He was a graduate of Mansfield High School in the Class of 1955 and then attended Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar for 2 years. Kenneth and Lee moved to Michigan where they worked for Bell Telephone. After returning to Mansfield, they owned and operated a grocery store for several years. In 1968, they purchased Rush Hardware. It became Dennis Hardware and was operated by Kenneth, Lee, Lance, Brian, and Brett, along with many faithful employees until 1996. In 1977, Kenneth began a 22-year career with the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier, retiring in July 1999. Kenneth and Lee began working together at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield before they retired in 2008.

Kenneth made a profession of faith in Christ many years ago and was member of the Mansfield First Baptist Church. He served on the Mansfield School Board, and was a member of the Mansfield Lodge #543 A.F. & A.M. for 61 years, and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine.

In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, vacationing in Florida, and spending time with the grandkids.

Kenneth was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and a man who truly cared about others in the community. There are many special and funny memories that we will always treasure. Kenneth and Lee were inseparable and he missed her dearly, they are together again, forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hensley Cemetery.