Frank E. Penn Obituary (1930 - 2017)

Frank E. Penn, 86, of Normal, passed away at 9:55 a.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at his home.His funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2017 at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal with Rev. Monsignor Eric S. Powell officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 2:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, January 29 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m.Memorials may be made to Epiphany Catholic Church or Central Catholic High School Football Program.Frank was born August 22, 1930 in Waukegan, the son of William Donald and Esther Louise Steinke Penn. He married Helen Jean Swearingen and they had 55 wonderful years of marriage before her passing on June 5, 2009.He is survived by a daughter, Mystic Mysty (Rick) Lyftogt of Phoenix AZ ; two sons, Rick (Patti) Penn of Bloomington and Kurt Ed (Cindy) Penn of Wauconda; 7 grandchildren, Aaron (Alyssa Bruck) Thomas, Tyler (Stephanie) Penn, Andrew Thomas, Michelle (Ben) Maya, Morgan Penn, Peyton Penn and Parker Penn; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Chuck (Carolyn) Penn of Normal; two sisters-in-law, Dixie Penn of Normal and Sharon Ashley of Bloomington; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by a son, Karl Penn and two grandsons, Frank Ryan Penn and Nicholas Andrew Thomas.Frank graduated from Trinity High School, where he was a football standout. He attended St. Ambrose College and served in the US Army. After his service to his country, Frank began a forty year career with the railroad, which included 20 years as a carman and 20 years as a supervisor.Frank also worked as a handyman and did many jobs over the years. He was a charter member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal.Frank enjoyed trips to Florida with his wife Jean, hunting and his cabin on the Mackinaw.