Dennis Wayne Kenser

He was born on April 11, 1976, in Pekin, Illinois. Denny was a 1994 graduate of Canton High School. After high school, he attended technical school and was a welder by trade for over 25 years.

Denny last worked at Rivian in Normal but also devoted many years of his life to Keystone Steel and Wire in Bartonville.

Surviving are his parents, Dennis Kenser and Cynthia Copelen; one son, Garet Kenser; two brothers, Stephen Kenser and Kory Kenser; two sisters, Kourtney McKenzie and Stacey Potts; one grandmother, Geraldine Kenser; and his better half, Becky Bender. Denny also leaves behind several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

His family is not the only one he leaves behind. He is also survived by his sky brothers and sisters at Quad City Skydiving, the Bonzai Brothers, the tour family of the ’90s, his biker brothers, his welding buddies, and many friendships that persevered through decades.

Denny was a man’s man, a hard worker, and a thrill-seeking, adventurous spirit who was never afraid to try anything once. He found joy in racing, traveling, and music, and had a smile that lit up the room.

He learned how to scuba dive and use a paramotor, but he found a deep love for skydiving. He spent a great deal of his time jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, teaching others to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, and making videos of others jumping out of perfectly good airplanes.

He was one of the good ones. He will always be remembered for being an amazing son, father, brother, uncle, and friend, and we ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dennis Jensen, Danny Freeman, and Mike Franciskovich.

His memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. A celebration of a life well lived and well-loved will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Rides at www.stjuderides.org

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com