Alvin L. Tennant

Alvin L Tennant passed away at the age of 98 peacefully on April 25, 2022, at Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, IL, with loving family by his side. He was born November 30,1923, the only child of Thomas Tennant and Cecil Mae Baggett Tennant in Rapid River, MI.

Alvin was educated and graduated from Rapid River Schools. His informal teachings came from his early years being a visitor to the local businesses. From doing errands for Harry Buchman’s General Store and learning the game of checkers in Mr. Shippy’s Barbershop. His mother and stepfather, Ray Papineau, operated the Colonial Inn, and both worked the lumber camps and lumberjack saloon.

Alvin’s grandparents owned and operated a dairy farm in Ensign, MI. Alvin learned the value of hard work and long days early on, a trait that never left. After high school, came the attack on Pearl Harbor and AI enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the Delta County Courthouse. He served five and a half years in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, World War II. Upon his military tour completion, he found his lifelong niche of tree trimming with a company from Madison, WI. He became an expert with ropes and saws, doing this work until his late 80s. Along the way he met and married his wife, Bernice Tennant.

Together they raised her son, Ronnie Green; and their union produced two daughters, Patsy Lee Tennant and Nancy Jo Tennant. The family settled in the Chatsworth, IL area. Through the years, Al would travel back to his hometown area, taking his saws with him and would help folks who he knew and remembered fondly.

In his later years, he resided with his daughter, Nancy in the Oquawka, IL area. His hobbies and pastimes included playing cards and socializing. His colorful stories and jokes would entertain for hours. He was a lifetime member of the Walter W. Cole American Legion Post 301 in Rapid River, MI.

He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Jo Tennant; and three grandsons from daughter, Patsy.

Preceding him in death were his parents; stepson; and oldest daughter.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday, May 9, 2022 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Gladstone, MI. Following the time of visitation, Military Honors and graveside services will be conducted by the Rapid River American Legion Post 301 in the Rapid River Cemetery. Burial will take place in the Rapid River Cemetery. 

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