Nancy Jo Tennant, age 65, of Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at 1:00 PM
on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, quietly at home after at 2 1/2 year battle
with small cell lung cancer. She was born January 17, 1959 at the Gibson
City Hospital, Gibson City, Illinois, the daughter of Alvin and Bernice
(McDavid) Tennant. Nancy’s first six years were spent in Chatsworth,
Illinois. She later moved to Oquawka, Illinois with her mother where she
was reared by her loving Grandma Gladys and three doting Aunts. Nancy
grew up in the good ole’ days of Oquawka with sand roads and a pony in
every back yard shed. Nancy’s school years were influenced by several
teacher who had her best interests at heart. She graduated from Union
High School with the Class of 1977.
After graduation, Nancy went to work at her mother’s bar “Bernice’s
Showboat” where she worked until it sold in 1988. Nancy then went to
work in the Illinois Department of Correction, and later transferred to
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This turned out to be her
dream job, emulating her father who had a tree business for 70 years.
After her retirement from the State of Illinois in 2012, Nancy went on
to build and operate her own business called “Lucky’s Bar” which she
later sold due to Covid. Nancy’s hobbies included designing and
building, decorating, yard work, flowers, baking, cooking, caring for
her animals, and listening to Honky Tonk Outlaw Country music. Mostly,
Nancy loved spending time with her family and many friends.
Surviving Nancy are one niece, Heather Green, one nephew, Ron Reinagle,
along with several great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her
long lost high school sweetheart, Brian. She is preceded in death by her
parents, her sister Patsy Tennant Reinagle, and her brother Ronnie Green.
As were Nancy’s wishes, cremation is being accorded. A memorial service
is planned for 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Turnbull Funeral
Home in Oquawka, Illinois. Private family interment will be at Oquawka
Cemetery. A memorial fund is being established for Western Illinois
Animal Rescue, Monmouth, Illinois. For more information, or to leave a
remembrance of Nancy, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
