Royce M. Jennings, 90, of Venice, FL died October 31, 2010 at Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk, OH. He is survived by 7 children Cathie Jennings of San Francisco CA, Carl (Kate) Jennings of Granville OH, Paul Jennings of Cleveland Hts. OH, Nancy (Dr. William) Jantsch of Mt. Vernon OH, Linda (Joel) Johnson of Nashville NC, Eric (Adriana) Jennings of Edina MN, Mary Jane Hickey of Columbus OH; by 15 grandchildren Claire, Glen, and Alix Jennings, Sarah (Nathan) Bartow, Mamie (Erik) Brubaker, Laura Jennings (& Pat Secor), and Adam Jennings, Bert Jantsch, Carol Jantsch (David Murray), Drew and Emma Johnson, Isabella and Diego Jennings, Royce and Leda Hickey; by 3 great grandchildren Sully Jennings, Evan Brubaker, and Ella Jennings-Secor; by 2 brothers Harlon (Lois) Jennings of Norwalk OH and Lowell (Sandy) Jennings of Stockton CA. Royce was predeceased by his wives Ruth (Sturtevant) Jennings and Martha Jane (Casanova) Jennings and his sister Janice Clark. The son of the late Glenn and Ruth (Kilper) Jennings, Royce was born in Fitchville, OH on September 21, 1920. He grew up on the family farm during the depression. He graduated from New London High School in 1938 and from the University of Cincinnati in 1943 with a degree in Civil Engineering and was a surveyor for the Tennessee Valley Authority during his work study program. He served three years in the US Navy during WWII as the bomb disposal officer on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp in the Pacific Theater. Royce was cofounder, in 1947, of the Jennings & Churella Construction Company in New London. He inspired his employees and built the company with a reputation for quality and first class service that generated a great deal of success and repeat business throughout Ohio and many other states. In 1970, Royce and Jane moved to the farm outside New London, raising cattle and crops, while he was still working at J&C. He enjoyed working with the animals, cutting firewood, making wine, and showing other people everything on the farm. He was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. He also served on a number of boards including the Fisher Titus Foundation, Baldwin Wallace Building Trustees, Ashland University Building Trustees, Ohio Contractors Association, Ohio Carpenters Pension Fund, Oberlin Savings Bank, and New London United Methodist Church. Royce loved to travel and go on cruises with family and friends. After his retirement in 1986, he and Jane spent considerable time at their home in the Venice FL area where he enjoyed dining out and socializing with friends, volunteering at the nearby state park, catching shrimp, swimming, and finding sharks teeth on the beach. He always had many good friends wherever he went and was well known for staying in touch with them. Friends may call Wednesday from 3:00-5:00 and 7:00-9:00 and from 10:00-11:00 on Thursday at the Eastman Funeral Home in New London. Reverend Cathy Ake of the New London United Methodist Church will conduct the funeral service at 11:00 Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Grove Street Cemetery followed by lunch at the Methodist Church in New London. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Glenn Jennings Scholarship Fund at the Fitchville United Methodist Church, 1593 US Route 250 S, New London, Ohio 44851.