Dennis H. Abernathy, 80, of Hoffman, passed away Monday, March 27, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL surrounded by his family.
He was born October 24, 1942, in Covington Township, IL., the son of William H. and Evelyn Abernathy. He married Marsha Knolhoff on August 17, 1968, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Hoffman and she survives him.
In addition to his wife Marsha, he is survived by a son: Michael Abernathy, and wife Kathy, grandson: Evan of Hoffman; daughter: Teresa Haake and husband Denny and granddaughters Macey and Maddie and fiance Alex Johnson all of Hoffman; brother: Lorren Abernathy and wife Rose Ann of Phoenix, AZ, sister-in-law: Beth Knolhoff of Centralia; and two nieces: Tracy Abernathy of Belleville, IL, and Ciera Peck and husband Ryan of Hoffman, IL.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents Gerhardt and Bertha Sprehe and Luther and Anna Abernathy; father and mother-in-law Norman and Lucille Knolhoff; and brothers-in-law Kevin Knolhoff and Dale Knolhoff.
He worked for many years as an auto parts and heavy equipment parts salesman, and in his final years before retiring was employed by the American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055 in Centralia. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Hoffman. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends for many years. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving as a Security Forces Specialist during both the Cuban Missile Crisis and the early years of the Vietnam War and was assigned to various nuclear missile, long-range bomber, and fighter aircraft installations until he was awarded permanent disability retirement from injuries received while on patrol duty. He received a letter of commendation from the Air Force Chief of Staff General Curtis Le May. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 2055, Vietnam Veteran Chapter 176 both of Centralia, American Legion Post 1227 of Beckemeyer, Amvets Chapter 140 of Greenville, and a retired 15-year member of Hoffman Fire Department. From the early years of his life, he loved all things Native American and after ancestry and tribal DNA research, was officially enrolled as a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. He had a great love for his family and was especially proud of his grandchildren. He also enjoyed nature, wildlife, and his pet beagles.
Funeral Services for Dennis Abernathy will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Hoffman with Pastor Brett Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Hoffman. Military rites will be accorded at the gravesite by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and the Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055. A visitation for friends and family will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Hoffman. In memory of Dennis, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, or Trinity Lutheran Church of Hoffman and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801 (618) 532-3523, which is honored to be of service to the Abernathy family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
