Diaconate candidate from Jonesboro dies Jan. 9

Published: February 28, 2020

Scott Rennels Sr., 71, a member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro, died Jan. 9.

Rennells entered the diaconate formation program in 2017 and was scheduled to be ordained a deacon in 2022.

“My years of active service in various parish ministries were fulfilling, but I continued to feel God calling me to a more active role to evangelize, to be a servant and to proclaim the Gospel,” he wrote in 2017.

He was born May 26, 1948, in Evansville, Ind., to the late Joseph and Eleanor Rennels. He served in the Air Force. He received a bachelor’s degree in management from University of Illinois and studied theology at the Little Rock Theology Institute. He was a commercial products manager at ESD Inc.

His hobbies included writing, reading, promoting social justice issues, hiking, flying, golf, travel and family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah “Debbie” Rennels; two sons, Scott Rennels Jr. of Nashville, Tenn., and Tyler Rennels of Jonesboro; two daughters, Holly Cockrell of Jonesboro and Stephanie Gladson of Carterville, Ill.; one brother, Gary Rennels of Evansville, Ind.; one sister, Martha Rennels of Evansville, Ind.; and four grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.