Evelyn Sharline Rennells

Evelyn Rennells

Evelyn Rennells, 88, of Unionville, MO, passed away at her home in Unionville on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, after a battle with cancer.
Evelyn Sharline Rennells was born in Putnam County, MO, on September 24, 1923, the daughter of Loran F. and Isa (Hill) Rennells, who preceded her in death. Evelyn worked as a secretary for about a year for County Superintendent of Schools A. B. Shelton after graduation from Unionville High School in 1941.
Evelyn then worked for the Selective Service for 20 years. She registered as many as 150 men in a single day. These men were put on the train or buses to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and other camps and she knew that some of them would never come home. She became the first woman from Putnam County to be appointed to the Local Draft Board in 1963. She remained on the Board until 1976 when the Selective Service was dismantled.
From 1946-1963 Evelyn divided her time between the Selective Service and the town library as Assistant Librarian. When a tax was later voted for a permanent public library, she helped drive the bookmobile, delivering books to the County’s 85 rural schools. Evelyn worked as a Division II Court Clerk from 1967 until her retirement in 1993.
Evelyn loved her community and was active in numerous civic organizations and clubs, including being a charter member of the BPW club and a member of the Putnam County Historical Society. She was also a member of the Unionville Country Club and liked to golf. Evelyn loved to play cards with friends in their homes or at the Unionville Country Club. She also loved to travel across the United States with friends and relatives and took her first trip overseas in 2000 to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Unionville.
Evelyn is survived by a brother, Kenneth Rennells and his wife Mary of Unionville, MO; and two sisters, Shirley Riley and her husband Richard of Unionville, MO, and Genevieve Parson of Brookfield, MO. Sister-in-law Mary Rennells of Inglewood, CA, survives. Eighteen nephews and nieces also survive including Curtis Riley and wife Sheryl, Eric Riley and wife Tonda, Barb Hodges and husband Tim, Paul Riley, and Lisa Newman, all of Unionville, MO. Several great and great-great nephews and nieces survive as well.
In addition to her parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by five siblings: James Rennells, Virginia Wilson, Leo Rennells, Loyd Rennells, and Loran F. Rennells, Jr.
Funeral services for Evelyn Rennells will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 10:30 am. Visitation will be Friday, March 2, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Burial will be at the Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, MO.
Memorials for Evelyn are suggested to the Putnam County Historical Society and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th, Unionville, MO, 63565