Truman Gene Rennels

Notes:

Mail Tribune - July 4, 2005
Ruch Elementary principal dies Truman Rennels, 72, fell ill Friday from undiagnosed leukemia
By JONEL ALECCIA
A longtime local educator recently named principal at Medford's Ruch Elementary School died suddenly Sunday. Truman Rennels was 72. Rennels, who fell ill Friday, succumbed to previously undiagnosed leukemia complicated by pneumonia, said his son, Bud Rennels of Medford. "The only thing going strong at the end was his heart," the younger man said. "It was a total shock." Truman Rennels retired from the Eagle Point School District in 1999 after a 25-year career as a teacher, coach and administrator, ending as vice principal at Little Butte School. But he couldn't stay away from education, his family and colleagues said. The Medford man was a frequent classroom substitute who stepped in last spring as vice principal at Eagle Point High School, said Mari Brabbin, the principal there. When the job came available in Ruch this year, Rennels was eager to apply, his son said. "He was just too bored and thought he should take another job," Bud Rennels said. People who knew Rennels characterized him as an energetic, upbeat man who had the best interests of students at heart. "Truman believed that all kids could reach their highest potential," Brabbin said. "He gave every kid a clean slate every day." Rennels was active as an elder in the West Main Church of Christ and he served as an educational consultant for George Fox University, Northwest Christian College and Concordia University. His strong faith caused minor concern after his first staff meeting at Ruch June 7. Rennels asked about the possibility of starting meetings with prayer, raising objections among some staff members. One staffer raised the issue in a casual conversation with Jim Bond, a representative with the Medford teachers' union. Medford school officials investigated the matter and agreed that the request was inappropriate, but did not violate district policy, interim Superintendent Kathy McCollum said before Rennels' death. Religion was a big part of Rennels' life, his son said, noting that Rennels had taken out a life insurance policy that listed the church as his beneficiary. Medford officials expressed shock and dismay at Rennels' death. School Board Chairman Mike Moran said officials would wait for the return of Superintendent Phil Long before taking any action. Two other candidates were considered for the part-time principal's position, he added. A memorial for Rennels is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday at West Main Church of Christ, 1701 W. Main St., Medford. The service will be followed by a potluck lunch, Bud Rennels said. Truman Rennels is survived by his wife, Glenda, two children and six grandchildren.

Mail Tribune - July 6, 2005
Truman Gene Rennels

The memorial service for Truman Gene Rennels will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 7th at West Main Church of Christ, 1701 West Main Street, Medford, Oregon. Truman was born July 28, 1932 in Canute, Oklahoma. He moved to Oregon in 1944 when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Medford High School in 1951 and married Glenda Winner of Ashland in 1955 after meeting on a blind date. Truman is survived by wife, Glenda Rennels, daughter Kimberly Testerman, son Stephen "Bud" Rennels and 6 grandchildren: Allyson, 23; Jordan, 17; Rylan, 16; Jedidiah, 15; and twins Gabriel and Blain, 13. He was a meat cutter for many years and returned to school graduating from Southern Oregon College with an Education degree in business and math in June 1973. Truman taught and coached at Eagle Point Middle School and High School. He became an Administrator and served in the high school as Athletic Director and as a Vice Principal. He became Vice Principal at Little Butte Elementary in Eagle Point. Truman retired in 1999 but continued to work in the education field as a substitute teacher and administrator. He taught a graduate class for Concordia, Northwestern Christian College and George Fox. He was hired in 2005 by the Medford School District to fill the part time position of Principal at Ruch. He enjoyed volunteering for more than 15 years with the Pear Blossom Run. Truman's life was motivated by a strong Christian Faith. It defined his service to church and family. He served as an Elder at West Main Church of Christ where he was strongly involved in the youth programs, church camp and Mexico Missions. He spent the last seven spring vacations on mission trips to build much needed housing in Mexico. Truman was a husband and father first. His grandchildren were the joy of his life. It's difficult to distill a man's life down to one page in an obituary. Good men are not honored enough in our society. To say Truman was a good man is to understate his impact on the lives around him. Truman lived his faith day by day. He touched everyone who had contact with him by sharing his loving and giving spirit. He will be lovingly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Main Church of Christ, Youth Programs or West Main Church of Christ, Mexico Mission.

Truman married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Notes:

Lynell Cordell assumed this was the correct person from info on SSDI. Last residence was Medford, OR. SS #445-09-5634 OK

Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK
RENNELS, Doyle Edwin; 85; Medford OR; Mail Tribune; 1996-11-26

The memorial service for Doyle E. Rennels was held Wednesday, November 27, 1996 at 2 p.m. at the Park Street Church of Christ, Ashland. Greg Weston, minister of the Park Street Church of Christ will officate.

Private interment will be Sisklyou Memorial Park, Medford.

Memorial contribution may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Park Street Church of Christ, 621 Park Street, Ashland, Oregon 97520.

Doyle E. Rennels, 85, of Medford, Oregon, died Monday, November 25, 1996 at the Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford, Oregon.

Mr. Rennels was born October 11, 1911 in Hammon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma to Alfred and Blanche Dunlap Rennels. In Hammon in December 1929 he married the former Alice Simmons, who preceded him in death on November 24, 1979. Mr. Rennels farmed in Oklahoma until moving to Medford in 1946. In 1951 he moved to Norwalk, California where he worked as a meat cutter in retail grocery until retirement in 1975, when he returned to live in Talent, Oregon. In 1990 he moved to Medford.

While living in California he was an elder at the South Whittier Church of Christ. He was a member of the Park Street Church of Christ in Ashland, and served as an elder there until 1979. He also was a member of the Amaigamated Meat Cutters Union of America.

Survivors include one son, Truman Rennels of Medford, Oregon; two grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wade and Alvin Rennels.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland, Oregon.

(Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

Doyle married Alice Simmons in Dec 1929 in Hammon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. Alice was born on 29 Apr 1912; died on 24 Nov 1979 in Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elk City Daily News, Elk City, OK - July 13, 1969 Rennels Rites Set Today Funeral services for Alfred M. Rennels, 82, Carpenter, who died Friday in a local hospital will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Hammon School Auditorium. Interment will be in Radial (sic) Cemetery in Hammon. Mr. Rennels was born April 9, 1887 in Decatur, Tex., and came to this area in 1900. In 1910 he was married to Blanche Dunlap. Survivors include his wife, (something was missing here) Wade and Alvin, both of Hammon, 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Savage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

(Research):Census Information:

1920 Census
Oklahoma, Custer County, Washita Twp
Enumerated 27 January 1920
SD 7 ED 38 Ward 3516 Sheet 5A
Stamped 185

78-85
Rennels, Alfred M Hd M W 32 M Tx US Ark Farmer
Rennels, Blanche Hd F W 29 M Tx Mo Tx
Rennels, Doyle E Son M W 8 S Ok Tx Tx
Rennels, Alvin J Son M W 2 5 S Ok Tx Tx
Rennels, Wade W Son M W 2 6/12 S OK Tx Tx

87-94 Elmer and Burmah Rennels

Alfred married Blanche Dunlap on 12 Nov 1910 in Sayre, Beckham County, Oklahoma. Blanche (daughter of Obediah B. Dunlap and Louella E. "Lou" Files) was born on 11 Jul 1890 in Jack County, Texas; died on 25 May 1990 in Oklahoma; was buried in Red Hill Cemetery, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Funeral services for Blanche Rennels will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Martin Funeral Chapel with Bro. O.B. Dunlap officiating. Burial will follow in the Red Hill Cemetery, Hammon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. Mrs. Rennels was born July 11, 1890 in Jack County, Texas and died Friday morning May 25, 1990 at the age of 99. she came from Jack County in 1899 with her parents to the Colter Community where she was reared. She was married to Alfred M. Rennels at Sayre on Nov. 12, 1910. They established their first home north of Canute on a farm. In 1936, they established a grocery store, and service station in the Carpenter Community, where Mrs. Rennels enjoyed helping her husband in that endeavor. She was a member of the Church of Christ for over 80 years. She enjoyed working in the Community Home Demostration Club in Colter. They retired in 1963 selling their store to a grandson. They continued to live there in Carpenter until she entered the nursing home in July of 1973. Survivors include three sons: Alvin J. Rennels of Canute, Wade W. Rennels of Hammon, and Doyle Rennels of Medford, OR. A special relation, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Allison. Her only nephew O.B. Dunlap will be officiating minister of the service. 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred on July 11, 1969, one infant son, and three brothers.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Notes:

Married:
Glen Zell instead has her date of marriage as 22 November 1910.

Notes:

He was the son of Thomas Scott Rennels.

(Research):Census Information:

1900 - OK, Custer Co., Washita
RENNELS Mary C. Hd 37y June 1862
", George son 18y Oct 1881
", Jasper son 16y Aug 1883
", Rosa dau 15y Feb 1885
", Alfred son 13y Apr 1887
", Lottie dau 9y Dec 1890
", Elmer son 6y Mar 1894

(Courtesy of Sharon (Scriven) Iwanick. 1559 E. Caples Ct.
, La Center, WA. 98629. {data should be proven for accuracies and connections} Jan. 2007)

Thomas married Mary C. Trawick about 1880. Mary (daughter of James Jackson Trawick and Elizabeth Lucinda Adams) was born in Jun 1862 in Arkansas; died about 1960; was buried in Red Hill Cemetery, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1900 - OK, Custer Co., Washita
RENNELS, Mary C. head 37y June 1862
George son 18y Oct 1881
Jasper son 16y Aug 1883
Rosa dau 15y Feb 1885
Alfred son 13y Apr 1887
Lottie dau 9y Dec 1890
Elmer son 6y Mar 1894

(Courtesy of Sharon (Scriven) Iwanick. 1559 E. Caples Ct.
, La Center, WA. 98629. {data should be proven for accuracies and connections} Jan. 2007)

Notes:

Glen Zell shows him as the son of R C (b. 5 Jun 1835, d. 8 Feb 1881) and Marie (b. 1840) DUNLAP.

Obediah married Louella E. "Lou" Files on 8 Aug 1889 in Jack County, Texas. Louella was born about 1868; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Glen Zell shows her as the daughter of David J. FILES, CSA (b. 13 July 1838 d. 6 Dec 1911) and Penelope Ann DERDEN Ib. 12 Feb 1844, d. 15 Jul 1928).