Paul L. Penner

Paul was born March 7, 1943, the second son of Leland and Goldie (Horton) Penner in Independence, Missouri. An accomplished baseball player, Paul graduated from Van Horn High School in 1961 and then attended Central Missouri State College (now the University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg, Missouri, before being drafted into the army during the Vietnam War in 1966. He served gallantly, quickly gaining the rank of Sargent. Paul was stationed in Germany as part of the 7th Army’s Third Transportation Corps. After his tour of duty and honorable discharge, Paul returned to Warrensburg to finish his teaching degree, where he met his future wife Karen (Tumberger) in 1969. They were married February 12, 1972.

Paul wore many hats during his life including teacher and house painter, Eagle Scout and Scout Master, and father and coach. His favorite hat was that of an outdoorsman, where he was able to combine all his hobbies and jobs. He loved to fish, hunt, and hike in the woods with his three sons, and later in life he became an avid birder, tending to several bird feeders in his backyard.

Paul is survived by his wife, Karen of Independence, Missouri; a sister, Brenda (Steve) Penner of Astoria, Oregon; his three sons, Joseph (Kelli) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, David (Amanda) of Independence, Missouri, and Andrew (Sharif) of Kansas City, Missouri; four grandsons, August Leland, Daniel Paul, Frank Russell, and Gabriel Louis; two sisters-in-law, Connie Brown of Roeland Park, Kansas, and Christy Tumberger (Diane) of Clinton, Missouri; and four nephews and nieces, Harrison, Spencer, Susan, and Heather. Besides his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Penner.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist Convent and the Boy Scouts of America.