Charles William Tennis, 78, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed away on April 3, 2026, at the Villas of Hollybrook in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
He was born on May 2, 1947, in Mt. Carmel, IL. He was the son of Eugene and Marjorie Elizabeth (Pool) Tennis. He married Janice (Clodfelter) Tennis on April 16, 1977, in Lancaster, Illinois.
Charles graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1965 and from Wabash Valley College with an associate’s degree. Charles was also a member of the Illinois National Guard. After returning from the National Guard, he worked with his father, on the family farm. After his father retired, Charles continued operating the farm until 2005, when he and Jim Russell formed RT Farms, farming together for 24 years.
Along with his love of farming, Charles enjoyed watching baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He also enjoyed going to Florida for the winter months and loved river cruises.
Charles was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Lancaster Church of Christ where he served as a trustee. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Wabash County Farm Bureau, the Wabash County Youth Foundation, the Lancaster Community Club, and a director for the Farm Service Agency.
He is survived by his spouse, Janice; daughter Jana Lynn (Matthew) Marriott; two sisters, Janet (Marion) James and Barbara (Kirk) Peterson; two grandchildren, Ella Grace and Mackenzie Fay Marriott; brothers and sisters-in-law Lois and Darrell Balding, Judy and Larry Wilkinson, Sharon Louie, and Thomas Schmitt Sr.; 14 nieces and nephews, 28 great-nieces and nephews, six great-great-nieces and nephews; and special friends Jim and Lauren Russell.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Virginia Schmitt and Mary Ellen Tennis; mother and father-in-law, Eloise and Charles Clodfelter; and nephew, Jeffery James.
A Private Family Service will be held for Charles, and burial will follow the service at the Moravian Cemetery in West Salem, IL.
Memorial contributions can be made to Charles Ford Hospice in Harmony and the Lancaster Community Club. Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com.
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tennis family.
