Larry W. Rennels' Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Larry Wayne Rennels, age 67, Mayor of Charleston, former City Council Member and longtime businessman, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 25, 2015. Visitation for family, friends, and the community, will be held Sunday, June 28, 2015 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 902 Cleveland Avenue in Charleston with Pastor Ken Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gifts may be left during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Larry was born on July 31, 1947 in Charleston, a son of the late Morris E. and Helen E. (Snyder) Rennels. Larry and Mary Ann Gibbons were united in marriage on August 24, 1968 in Mattoon. He is survived by Mary Ann, his loving and devoted wife and best friend of nearly 47 years; their sons, David Rennels of Charleston and Matthew and wife Dr. Tasha Rennels of Tampa, FL; his sister, Marcia Cox and her husband Mick of Collinsville, IL; his niece, Emily (Bill) Kobler and their children Addie and Callie of Troy, IL; his nephew, Brandon (Staci) Cox and their children Jackson and Griffin of Woodstock, GA; his stepmother, Crystal Rennels of Charleston; an aunt, Betty Snyder of Charleston; and his brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas Gibbons of Clinton, Ohio. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by Mary Ann's parents Frank and Mildred Gibbons. Larry was a 1965 graduate of Charleston High School where he was an honor student and participated in extracurricular activities such as projection club, student council, vice-president of the amateur radio club, official scorer for the B basketball team and statistician for the varsity squad. Larry graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN in 1969 and during his college years he was also a member of the ROTC. Following graduation, Larry was employed by Motorola, Inc., designing and managing the design of pagers and two-way radios. During his 11 year tenure with Motorola, he developed, designed and was issued a patent, and held the position of Product Manager, International Communications Products. It was in 1980 that Larry and Mary Ann decided to return home and make Charleston their permanent home. As a high school youth, Larry worked afternoons and Saturdays at Rennels TV & Appliance, a business started by his father in 1959. When Morris decided to retire in 1987, Larry followed in his father's footsteps as owner of Rennels TV & Appliance and was committed to offering the same professional and reliable service while adhering to their motto - "The Store that Service Built" . He operated the store until its closing in 2010. Larry became actively involved in the Charleston Community because he cared. In 1994 he was appointed chairman of the City of Charleston Alcohol Task Force and in 1997 was elected to the Charleston City Council. He was a member of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, served as its president in 1998, and was honored when the Chamber awarded him the Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 2004. Larry has also served on the EIU President's Cabinet and has been instrumental in fostering better relations with the university as a member of the EIU External Relations Committee. He was a member of the first class of the Citizen's Police Academy, previously a member of the Autism Society, a member of Coles County Crime Stoppers, the Hilltop Advisory Board, and was a member and past president of the Community Based Youth Service Board which operated in 7 counties. In 2013, Larry accepted a new role in the community when its citizens elected him Mayor of Charleston. He brought with him years of experience, a vast knowledge, a committed work ethic and desire to make Charleston a better place. He possessed the qualities of being a good listener and was considerate of others. He was dependable, always willing to lend a hand, and his honesty and integrity made him truly a man of his word. His decisions were based on the facts and a belief that it was the right thing to do. Larry has allowed his faith, his belief and trust in God to guide his life. He has been a devoted and faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charleston and has served his church family as a past member of the Board of Directors, as a member of the Board of Elders, the Properties Committee, and as past president of the congregation. He has also shared his technological expertise assisting with the operation of audio and video equipment and imparting his knowledge to others. Larry was proud of his family heritage and to be among the long list of Rennels family members that have lived and worked in the Charleston area. His own family was always a priority and he made certain that he was always there for them. He appreciated his sister Marcia and her family and the friendship they shared. He cherished Mary Ann, David, Matthew and Tasha and always looked forward to the times they spent together as a family. Larry influenced the lives of his family, his friends and his community in such a positive manner and the city of Charleston is a better place because of the leadership and caring heart of Mayor Larry Rennels.Click to view family memorial video.
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