Denny M. Boaz

Denny Boaz

Denzil M. (Denny) Boaz entered his heavenly home early on the morning of Saturday, November 4, 2023 with family by his side.  Denny was born on March 15, 1948, the son of Bill and Martha (Lee) Boaz.  He married Cynthia (Cindy) Frost on July 3, 1966.   She preceded him in death on November 10, 2014.  He then married Marcy Cunningham on June 7, 2016.

Denny and Cindy were blessed with two sons, Eric (Shelly Hayes) Boaz of Indianapolis, IN and Keith (Julie) Boaz of Brownsburg, IN.  Eric has two daughters, Erica (Dane Lockert), and their family, Luke, Aca,and Ava, and Kayla ((Tyler Gill), and their daughter, Alaina.  Keith and Julie were blessed with a son, Chandler, and a daughter, Breanna Hainline (Darrell Williams) and their family, Journiey, Dustin, Jr. and Macey.

With his marriage to Marcy, he was blessed with a bonus step-daughter, Mary Jo (Ron) Waggoner, and their children, Samantha and Gordon.

Denny loved his boys and all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Nothing brought him more happiness than a gathering where they could all be together.

Denny started his career in the grocery business by working at Creager Brothers when he was a young teen.  He went on to be a meat cutter, working for Eisner Food Stores which later became Jewel Foods, Festival Foods, Sullivan’s Foods, and Tom’s Parkway Foods.  While living in Mahomet, he and his best friend, Dale Hanslow, owned and operated their own grocery store which they named D & D.  He completed his career working at the IGA in LeRoy, IL.  One of his favorite things to do in retirement was to daily check out the meat prices at all the local grocery stores and find a bargain! 

In addition to his children and their families, Denny is survived by his wife, Marcy, his sisters, Beverly Edwards of Shelbyville, IL and Cheryl (Gary) Gilbert of Charleston, sisters-in-law, Debbie (Don) Coyle of Mt. Vernon, IL and Becky Hardwick of Oklahoma, and brothers-in-law, Charles (Ed) Brown and Terry (Tracie) Newell of Charleston.  Also surviving are his nieces and nephews and their families whom he loved dearly.

In addition to his wife, Cindy, Denny was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Yvette Brown, his brother-in-law, Les Edwards, and his nieces, Rachel Brown and Carmen Williamson.

Denny was a member of the North Side Baptist Church in Charleston where he served on the board.  He loved his church family and was always willing to do what he could for the church.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the North Side Baptist Church, 414 North 5th St. in Charleston, IL.  Visitation will take place from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and the service will begin at 1:00 pm.   Burial will take place at the Resthaven cemetery in Mattoon. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the North Side Baptist Church or Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice.

Harper Swickard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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