JOHN DENNIS

BENTON -- Senator John Clint Dennis, 82, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 31, 1917, at Patton, son of Walter and Mary Kitchen Dennis. He and Myrtle Pratt were married Dec. 2, 1939, in St. Charles.

Dennis attended schools at Blodgett and Morley.

During World War II he served three years with the U.S. Army at Ft. Riley, Kan., and three years with the U.S. Marine Corps in China and the South Pacific.

He served as Scott County sheriff from 1951-76.

Dennis was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1976, 1980, 1984 and 1988 from the 27th District. He served as majority caucus chairman; chairman of election; general law vice chairman of local government; and economic development, administration and transportation. He also served on gubernatorial appointments and local government.

He was a member of Southeast Missouri State University Copper Dome Society and Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.

Dennis was a lifetime member of National Sheriffs Association, Military Police, National Life Association, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Moolah Temple, American Legion Post in Benton, VFW Post in Morley and Elks Lodge in Chaffee.

He is survived by his wife of Benton; three daughters, Nancy Crossen, Kay Davis and Sharon Stuckey, all of Benton; six grandchildren, Jeff Hopper, Lisa Wheetley, Julie and Jill Stuckey, Traci Bollinger and John Davis; six great-grandchildren, Nicole and Derick Wheetley, Logan and Sydney Hopper, Whitney and Callie Bollinger, all of Benton; and a sister, Mary Faye Caul of Chaffee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers.

Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton after 3 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at the chapel, with the Rev. Jack Bishop officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens at Morley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Missouri Veterans Home or Missouri Sheriffs Association John Dennis Scholarship Fund.