Vernon D. 'Joe' Penner
Sept. 24, 1930-April 27, 2013
A memorial service was held for Vernon D. "Joe" Penner, 82, of Coquille, Ore., on May 4, at Myrtle Crest Memorial Gardens in Coquille, with military honors by the U.S. Navy and Oregon Honor Guard.
Joe was born Sept. 24, 1930, in Halstead, to John Jacob Penner and Augusta Evelyn Schroeder-Penner. He passed away April 27, 2013, in Coquille.
Joe attended Newton High School from 1945-1947, then he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He later completed his GED in 1948. In 1960, he accepted an appointment to commissioned officer and retired in 1971 as a lieutenant. He built a home in Placerville, Calif., where he attended American River College and received his associate degree.
He enjoyed wood working, gold panning, rock collecting and crabbing. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling corny jokes. He belonged to the Odd Fellows, where he served as noble grand, the Elks Lodge Coquille, and served as a deacon at the Coquille Community Christian Church, where he was baptized.
Joe is survived by his wife, Candace Anne Penner of Coquille; two sisters and four brothers, Evelyn Penner Smith of Newton, Lucille Penner Smith of Oklahoma City, John H. Penner of Santa Maria, Calif., Frank Penner of Arroyo Grande, Calif., Lawrence Penner of Newton, and Max Penner of Kansas City, Mo.; daughters, Cathie Nelson of Crescent City, Calif., Karen Robinson of Orangevale, Calif., and Nancy Fortier of Placerville, Calif.; sons, Phillip Penner of Fort Dick, Calif., and Michael Penner of Orangevale, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and four stepdaughters.
Arrangements are under the direction of Amling/Schroder Funeral Service, Myrtle Point, (541) 396-3158. Sign the guestbook online at www.theworldlink.com.
