Eric Pennala

Eric Mathias Pennala, age 64, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Monday, September 6, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born on Friday, September 14, 1945, in Oakland, California, the son of Arvo Mathias and Henrietta May (Long) Pennala. Eric lived in El Sobrante, California for fifty-three years, moving to Ottawa, Kansas in 1996. He graduated from DeAnza High School in El Sobrante, California with the class of 1963 and received an Associate’s Degree in 1972 from Contra Costa County Community College. Eric worked from March 1999 until 2000 as Network Control Manager in Data Processing for the State of Kansas and also IT Manager for various large California corporations. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Ottawa; Boy Scouts as a child; El Sobrante Volunteer Fireman's Association and California State Fireman's Association; and was Captain of El Sobrante Volunteer Fire Department eleven years. On January 3, 1965, Eric was united in marriage with Mary Lorraine Whitney in Richmond, California. They were later divorced. He married Joyce Elaine (Cooper) Baldwin on July 6, 1996, in Ottawa, Kansas. She survives of their home. Survivors include: Wife-Joyce Elaine Baldwin Pennala of the home; Former Wife-Mary Lorraine Abbott of Rockerby, California; Daughter-Candace Lynn (Pennala) Haas of Pittsburg, California; Daughter-Susan Marie (Pennala) Weir of Vallejo, California; Sister-Candace May (Pennala) Cellini & her husband, Tony, of Pleasant Hill, California; Stepson-Bret Baldwin & his wife, Gina, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Stepson-Barry Baldwin & his wife, LaTasha, of Denver, Colorado; Stepson-Blaine Baldwin & his wife, Anouhak, of Omaha, Nebraska; Stepson-Bart Baldwin of Ottawa, Kansas; Grandchild-Rebecca Lotspeich & her husband, Eric, of Pittsburg, California; Grandchild-Christopher Haas & his wife, Jolene, of Ottawa, Kansas; Grandchild-Jenifer Haas of Pittsburg, California; Grandchild-Eric Haas & his wife, Liz, of Eureka, Montana; Grandchild-Amanda Weir of Vallejo, California; Grandchild-Kimberly Weir of Vallejo, California; Grandchild-Sheri Weir of Vallejo, California; Step grandchild-Logan Stricker of Arkansas; Step grandchild-Dakota Baldwin of Cincinnati, Ohio; Step grandchild-Dillon Baldwin of Cincinnati, Ohio; Step grandchild-Mali Baldwin of Omaha, Nebraska; Great-Grandchildren-Seven. He is preceded in death by his: Parents-Arvo Mathias and Henrietta May Pennala; Stepdaughter-in-law-Gina Stricker Baldwin. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from First Baptist Church in Ottawa 10:00 a.m., Saturday September, 11, 2010. IN STATE: Mr. Pennala will lie in state after 4 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends from 7 to 8 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter or First Baptist Church, both of Ottawa, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.