Kenneth Oscar Nance

Kenneth Oscar Nance, age 89 of Jonesboro, went home to his Lord and Savior, Saturday, May 25, 2024. He was born 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 had four children. She preceded him in death on June 9, 1995. He later married Barbara (Clark) Johnson on May 9, 1997.

Kenneth is survived by his loving 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 that he loved as his own; brother, Roscoe and wife Linda Nance of Cobden; sister, Dean Heern of Carbondale; cousins; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Opal Joyce Nance; two sons, Kenny Nance and Faron Nance; great-grandson, Noah Ross-Cheatham; brothers, Jim and wife Mae Nance and Bobby Nance and brother-in-law, Ed Heern.

Kenneth 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. Kenneth was a retired auto mechanic where he worked for many years at Eastside Garage in Carbondale and other various shops in the area.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at the Makanda Baptist Church with Pastor Dennis Nance officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Makanda. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. and until the service hour at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the church. Memorial contributions are preferred to the Makanda Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the church and the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home.