Thomas E. Dennis

Thomas E. Dennis, 78, of rural Robinson, IL, passed away on May 14, 2022, at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. He was born on June 28, 1943, in Oblong, IL, the son of George J. & Virginia Lucille (Richey) Dennis. He grew up in the Oblong area, where he attended school before having to drop out to support his family. As a young man, he worked for a number of local businesses, including the Matheney Gas Station, Tempco, and Briggs Pottery. Though he was a trade laborer from 1968-1972, he soon broke into the carpentry trade by working for Mahlon Fuller. A member of Carpenter's Local #347, his career as a carpenter found him all over the area, but most notably, building scaffolding at the Marathon refinery. Throughout his working years, Tom did everything he could to provide a good life for his wife and children.

He married Carolyn Newlin on February 22, 1964, beginning a beautiful partnership that lasted 42 years. Together, they built the house that would become the home of their three children, Diana, Brenda, and Thomas, Jr. Tom and Carolyn also spent countless hours cutting a rug on area dance floors from Robinson and Olney, IL, to Washington and Terre Haute, IN. Though they enjoyed dancing to country music, Tom was particularly drawn to the 80's pop classic, "Footloose", a song he exemplified!

While he enjoyed dancing, what he truly cherished was spending time with his loved ones. His children will always treasure the many memories they made camping and boating with their father at the Sullivan Campground every summer. He also made time to vacation with them every year, and together, they enjoyed the thrill of Six Flags, the wonder of Disney World, and many other fun-filled family destinations. As he grew older, it became increasingly evident that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were each the apple of their grandpa's eye and made the twilight years of his life extra sweet.

Tom Dennis will be remembered as a gentle man who gave his all for the sake of his family. His legacy of selfless love will live on in our hearts, and we will never forget him.

He is survived by his children & their spouses, Diana & Rod Schiller (Robinson, IL), Brenda & Brett Bennett (Oblong, IL), and Thom & Melinda Dennis (Oblong, IL); his grandchildren, Brittney & Calvin Murray, Elija & Ashley Plummer, Brooke & Tyler Wright, Haze & Bryly Lemmon, Madison & Lucas Bell, Reeve Dennis, and Cameron Nash; his great-grandchildren, Brylee Murray, Adalyn Plummer, Bryden Murray, Stetson Plummer, Wyatt Wright, Cash Plummer, and Kathryn Lemmon; his sisters & brother-in-law Louise & Gerald Huchel (Millington, TN), Linda Graham (Hobart, IN), and Barbara Hout (Oblong, IL); by several nieces and nephews; as well as his friend, Ruthie Young.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Virginia Lucille Dennis; his wife, Carolyn Dennis; his two sisters, Ruth Inboden and Juanita Shafer; his brother, Jimmie Lee Dennis; his parents-in-law, Ova & Ruth Newlin; as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 19th, at the funeral home, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. A live stream of the service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

Burial will be in the Hardinville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to "Paul and Alice Roark", to be used to help fund the Thursday night singles dance at the Vincennes Moose Lodge. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.