Dennis ‘Denny’ Eller, 79

A celebration of life for Dennis “Denny” Eller, 79, of Ava, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in the Clinkingbeard Chapel in Ava. A visitation will be held before the service, beginning at 1 p.m. Pastor Charles McFarland will officiate. 

Denny died July 28, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, surrounded by his family and good friend, Charles McFarland. He was born April 27, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, to John Russell Lee and Cleora Jerome (Pipkin) Eller.

Denny grew up in Carlinville, Illinois. He married Susan Jett there on Dec. 24, 1970. In 1976, they moved to Thornfield. In 2011, they moved to Ava, where he spent the remainder of his life.  

Denny spent most of his working career as a mechanic. He retired from Copeland-Emerson after 27 years. He was well known for his knowledge about cars and motorcycles, and he was asked to work on many of them for neighbors, friends and strangers. Denny spent eight years as a deputy with the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department.

Denny loved riding on his motorcycle. He went on several trips with Susan and close friends. Some of his favorite trips were to South Dakota, New Orleans, the Dragon’s Tail, the Bikers, Blues and BBQ event in Arkansas and to Little Sturgis in Kentucky. He was a true biker and loved riding the back roads. 

Denny was part of a close-knit group that liked to target shoot and train together, improving their skills. This group became a second family, and he was proud to be one of them. 

Denny’s greatest joy in life was his family. He constantly told his girls how proud he was of them. He never let them leave without a kiss, a hug and an “I love you!” 

Denny’s best buddy was his great-grandson, Waylen, better known as “Scooter.” Denny was teaching him how to shoot, gave him tools to work alongside him in the shop and was Waylen’s biggest fan at his baseball games.

Denny is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughters: Julia Ann Lommatzsch and husband Richard, Donna Wyatt and husband Bud, Christina Haskins and April Blackwell; his great-grandson, Waylen Blackwell; sister, Julia Byrkit and husband Bob; mother-in-law, Phyllis Jett; brothers-in-law: Richard, Jimmy, Kenny, Scott Jett and his wife Tara; seven grandchildren: Tommy (Irene), Ashley (Tyler), Amanda (Luis), Shelbi, Buddy, Vicky and Abigail; 18 great-grands and one-on-the-way; extended family and many friends.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Kenneth Jett; his grandma, Leona Pipkin; his son-in-law, Sean Haskins; brother-in-laws, Roger Meade, Bob, Tim and Gene Jett; and sister-in-law, Julie Golden.  

Arrangements under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.