OBIT: Kenneth R. TENNIS, 2004, Boalsburg, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Sharon Miller Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ KENNETH R. TENNIS Kenneth R. Tennis, 81, of Boalsburg, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at Centre Crest nursing home. He was born Jan. 27, 1923, in Tyrone. He was the son of the late Oliver J. and Minerva Beck Tennis. Later, he moved to Boalsburg to live with his uncle William F. and aunt Helen Riley Tennis. He graduated in 1941 from Harris Township High School. He worked in the family general store until it closed. He served with the U. S. Army in World War II with Company A 1913 Engineer Battalion as a cook in the Philippine Islands. Upon his return from the service on April 1, 1946, he began the operation of Ken's Texaco in Boalsburg until his retirement in November 1992. He was a 50-year member of Old Fort Masonic Lodge. He was a charter member of the American Legion in Centre Hall; past charter member of the Boalsburg Lions Club; a life member of the State College Elks; Boalsburg Fire Company and Boalsburg Heritage Museum; and the past president of the cemetery association. He was also a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Boalsburg. He was considered by many, the honorary Mayor of Boalsburg. He was also honored as one of Centre County's Living Legends. On May 11, 1952, in Akron, Ohio, he married Margaret Deighton, who survives at home in Boalsburg. He is also survived by his two children, Doreen Diehl and her husband Roger of Boalsburg and John W. Tennis and his wife Cathy of Shingletown. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Emily and Evan Diehl and Christy and Jim Bartley. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Robert Tennis and Mrs. Fred Tennis, both of Tyrone, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Earl, Frank, Ralph, Fred and Robert, all of Tyrone. He enjoyed telling jokes, family gatherings, dealing with all of his customers and helping his wife with the lamp shop. One of the biggest loves was his life in Boalsburg as well as the time he spent in the community and with the people of the community. Later in life, he enjoyed wearing crazy hats and fun things to make people laugh. He fought a courageous battle for the last five years with kidney disease, vascular disease and diabetes. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. Memorial services will be held at 5:30 p.m. A Masonic service will be held at 9 p.m. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Boalsburg with the Rev. Brent Book officiating. Burial will be in Boalsburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 9, Boalsburg, PA 16827 or to the Boalsburg Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 346, Boalsburg, PA 16827. Tyrone Daily Herald, February 12, 2004