Jennings, Michael A. 1950-2025 Savannah, Mo.

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Michael A. Jennings, 75, Savannah, Missouri, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully at home Monday, July 21, 2025. He was born April 28, 1950, in St. Joseph, to Donald and Mary (McVay) Jennings. He grew up in St. Joseph, where he started working as a young boy delivering the St. Joseph News-Press. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1968. He was a member of Woodson Chapel Church.

Michael proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, then later in the U.S. Army Reserves during Desert Storm.

After his military service, Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Missouri Western State College. He was a farmer all of his life, raising livestock and row crops with his father. He also sold seed corn and worked for ChemLawn as well as drove a road grader for Andrew County.

He married Georgeanne Walker on Aug. 22, 1968. They later divorced. He married Verna Jo Davis on Nov. 26, 1992, and she survives of the home.

Sports were a big part of Michael’s life. He started a noncompetitive youth baseball league in Savannah, which later became an American Legion league. He built the league’s field himself. He started boys baseball and girls volleyball at Savannah High School in the 1989-1990 school year. He would also take a few kids each summer to Phil Welch Stadium to see baseball games and hopefully encourage them to follow their talent and dreams in the sport.

Besides baseball, Michael enjoyed going dancing with Verna and loved his animals.

An outgoing, social fellow who was known in his earlier years to be the life of the party, Michael was foremost a loving husband, father, and grandfather with a big, generous heart who would help anyone, anytime.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Michael Scott Jennings; and brother-in-law, Daryl Schneider.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Verna; children, Michael Jennings, Janelle Jennings, Matthew Jennings (Bethany), Cree Zepeda (Jason), and Amelia Madl (Tim); grandchildren, Jayden Jennings, Jordan Jennings-Duberry, Jianna Duberry, Cheyenne Allen, Rae Lyn Jennings, Calvin Jennings, Addie Madl, and Maddox Madl; sisters, Jennifer Sangster (Tom) and Jody Schneider; several nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends; and his beloved dog, Molly.

Private Memorial Service at a later date. Cremation under the direction of Simplify Cremations & Funerals. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Michael A. Jennings Legacy Scholarship, c/o Verna or Janelle Jennings, 3000 County Road 462, Savannah, MO 64485.

Online guest book and obituary at www.simplifyfunerals.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.