Robert J Penman Jr.

Robert James Penman, Jr. peacefully passed away on July 14, 2016. He was born September 24th, 1924 in Strong, Pennsylvania to Robert James Penman, Sr. and Ellen Marie Quinton Penman. He grew up in Strong and graduated from Township High School at Locust Gap in 1942. He entered the Navy in 1943 and served proudly as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate working on planes and blimps during World War II. He was posted to Philadelphia, PA; Charleston, SC; Sampson, NY; Glencoe, GA; and Recife, Brazil. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. At the end of the war, he trained as a pilot and received his license in 1947. He worked in the anthracite coal mines in Shamokin, PA for 17 years advancing to the level of mine foreman. He attended classes at Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in mine safety and engineering. In 1960, he went to work for the US Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration in Mount Hope, West Virginia where he worked until he retired after 25 years of service. At that time, he was a certified instructor for the US Bureau of Mines and a supervisor. At the time of his death, he was living in Valparaiso, IN close to his son and his family who lovingly attended to him.

Mr. Penman was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US. After he retired he did volunteer work with both organizations. He also spent a lot of time doing woodworking and making crafts and carvings. He made many things including toys, jewelry, Christmas decorations, etc. His wife Jean would paint them. He won several awards at regional craft shows for his carvings.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Elizabeth Rebecca Billman. They were married for 64 years until her death in 2012. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Joanne Ellen Penman and her husband Charles Ramberg of Charleston, SC; his son James Robert Penman and his wife Elizabeth of Valparaiso, IN and four grandchildren: Wendy Boughamer of Memphis, TN and Robert, Anne, and Katherine Penman of Valparaiso, IN.

Friends may gather with the family Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 2-4pm at Blue Ridge Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 4pm with Rev. Ken Killen officiating.

Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in Mr. Penman’s memory be made to the Salvation Army, one of Mr. Penman’s favorite charities.