Earl Kenneth Pennington

Earl Kenneth Pennington was born August 15, 1924, at Kansas City, Kansas. He was the son of Pless and Clora Bell (Jones) Pennington. Earl grew up in Douglas, Kansas, moving to Kansas City, Missouri in 1942, Bucyrus, Kansas in 1944 and Wagstaff, Kansas in 1946. In 1948, he moved to Rantoul, Kansas, where he made his home until his death Friday, July 25, 2003, at the age of seventy-eight years. Earl attended schools in Stillwell, Kansas. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 until 1946, attaining the Rank of Seaman First Class and earning the World War II Victory Medal. He was a lifelong farmer. He also worked in assembly from 1942 until 1944 at ABC Butter Company and from 1946 until 1948 for General Motors. For twenty years, he was Postmaster at Rantoul, retiring in 1985. Earl was a member of Ruhamah Baptist Church, and former member of Ironworkers Union #10. He founded Rural Water District #6 in Franklin County, serving twelve years as chairman. He was a former Mason of Lane Lodge #339 A.F. & A.M., and former member of the International Order of Odd Fellows of Lane, Kansas. Earl enjoyed collecting stamps and coins and took pride in restoring his 1951 Plymouth. He was a kind and caring person whose greatest joy came from his family, especially his grandchildren, who were a very large part of his life. On February 28, 1942, Earl was united in marriage with Helen Boslaugh at Spring Hill, Kansas. She survives of their home. He is also survived by two daughters, Judy Pennington and her husband, Harold, of Rantoul, Janice Kern and her husband, Bill, of Rantoul; four grandchildren, Kenneth Sobba, Terrie Crooks, Erick Kern, Melissa Clissold; seven great-grandchildren, Brandi Sobba-Atty, Kimberly Crooks, Karrie Crooks, Ericka Kern, Seth Kern, Mychaela Clissold, Jason Clissold; one great-great-granddaughter, Adrionna Atty; several step-grandchildren; and, several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Julia Mae Pennington, Mildred Bell Pennington, Bernice Hazel Armstrong, Marie Clora Maupin, Georgia Ellen Pennington; four brothers, Pless William Pennington, Alfred Newton Pennington, Marshall Lee Pennington, Samuel Pennington; granddaughter, Marsha Kay Kern; and, great-grandson, Willie Clissold. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 30, 2003. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Erick Kern and Pastor Rick Dunn. IN STATE: Mr. Pennington will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 P.M. Monday to the service hour where the family will meet with friends from 7 - 8 P.M. Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: Ruhamah Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Ruhamah Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas.