Kenneth Oscar Nance
Kenneth Oscar Nance, 89, of Jonesboro, went home to his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
He was born on March 28, 1935, in Carbondale, the son of Charles Stanley and Ida Louise Canada Nance.
He married Opal Joyce Ellis on July 21, 1954, and to this union four children were born. She preceded him in death on June 9, 1995. He later married Barbara Clark Johnson on May 9, 1997.
Mr. Nance is survived by his wife, Barbara Nance of Jonesboro; daughter Elaine and husband Jay Ross of Makanda; son Dennis and wife Diane Nance of Cobden; step-children Rhonda and husband Wilson Hughey, Georgia Jackson and Randall and wife Sandy Johnson, all of Carbondale; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren whom he loved as his own; a brother, Roscoe and wife Linda Nance of Cobden; a sister, Dean Heern of Carbondale; cousins; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Opal Joyce Nance; two sons, Kenny Nance and Faron Nance; a great-grandson, Noah Ross-Cheatham; brothers Jim and wife Mae Nance and Bobby Nance and brother-in-law Ed Heern.
Mr. Nance was a devoted Christian and faithful member of the Makanda Baptist Church. Kenneth and Barb would always arrive before anyone at church on Sunday morning and would greet you with a smile when you came through the door.
He was a talented musician. He enjoyed singing and playing his bass guitar. Years ago, he played in the Country Ramblers band and in recent years on Friday nights, he and Barb could be found at the jam sessions in Ullin.
Mr. Nance was a retired auto mechanic. He worked for many years at Eastside Garage in Carbondale and at other various shops in the area.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Makanda Baptist Church, with Pastor Dennis Nance officiating. Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery in Makanda. Memorials can be made to Makanda Baptist Church.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.