Charles S. Jennings
JENNINGS, SIMPSON, ZINKULA, REYNOLDS, ULRICH, FESTING-SMITH, FREEL, MAINS, MATHES, HERRING, MILLER
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 3/31/2025 at 09:18:08
Charles S. Jennings, 96, a loving family man, passed away on March 23, 2025 at Atrium Village Care Center in Hills, Iowa.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 11:00am until 12:30pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. Funeral Service will begin at 12:30pm at Lensing’s. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Iowa City with military honors accorded by local American Legions. In lieu of flowers and plants, donations may be sent in honor of Charles Jennings to Atrium Village, 117 S. 3rd Street, PO Box 220, Hills, IA 52235
Charles was born in Grant City, Missouri on August 10, 1928, to Hollis and Marjorie (Simpson) Jennings. Charles grew up in southeast Iowa, finally settling in Iowa City. He graduated from University High School in 1946. On September 8, 1951 he wed Marilyn Zinkula at First Presbyterian Church, “Old Brick”, in Iowa City. Together they raised four children and enjoyed almost 71 years of marriage.
Charles grew up a farm boy. Early jobs included helping on the family dairy farm, often delivering milk on the way to University High School. After high school, he traveled southeast Iowa testing milk and dairy cows. His love of woodworking led him to work at the University of Iowa Carpenter Shop and eventually the Engineering Department, from which he retired in 1992. His woodworking was also a hobby that created many family heirlooms for his kids and grandkids to pass down. He was an avid Hawkeye fan, attending Hawkeye football games for over 50 years.
Charles enlisted in the Army National Guard on June 23, 1948. He served in the National Guard for more than 20 years and was honorably discharged on July 1, 1969, with a rank of Master Sergeant. After retiring from the National Guard he remained in the Reserves until age 65.
Most importantly, Charles should be remembered as a devoted family man. He was a role model for all of us. His family meant the world to him. His favorite times were when family could gather to share a meal, play games, and catch up with each other. He always looked forward to visits from family and the annual extended Jennings family reunion when over 50 family members would come together for a long weekend.
He is survived by his children, Vicki (Bob) Reynolds of Iowa City, Iowa and children Kristin (Chris) Ulrich, Kyle (Marietta) Reynolds, Ryan (Jamie) Reynolds, Doug (Peggy) Jennings of Tampa, Florida and children Jason (Melissa) Jennings, Kiara (Reed) Festing-Smith, Ian (Alexis) Jennings, and Jody Freel of Altoona, Iowa and daughter Rachel Freel. He will also be missed by his great-grandchildren; Lauren, Carson, and Allie Mains, Arlow, Oakley and Rooney Reynolds, Elizabeth, Colton, Kayleigh, and Norah Jennings, Landon and Brayden Festing-Smith, Sophia and Josephine Jennings, Lilly and Evie Mathes, his sister Connie (Ralph) Herring and several nieces and nephews.
He will be welcomed home by Jesus, his wife, Marilyn, son Allan, parents, Hollis and Marjorie Jennings, brothers, Eugene and Ron, granddaughter Crissy Miller, and great grandchildren Nicholas Mains and Lilliana Jennings.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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