Penner, Elden (1937-2000)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Sep 22 p. 29

Birth date: 1937 Aug 15

text of obituary:

ELDEN PENNER

Elden Penner of Tillsonburg, Ont., formerly of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., passed away July 23. He was born Aug. 15, 1937 to Peter and Frieda Penner in Laird, Sask. In 1941 the family moved to Kitchener, Ont. In 1943 they bought a 10-acre farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In the 1950s Elden joined his father in the family business, Penner Lumber & Building Supplies in Virgil, Ont. He later became manager of the hardware department. In his teens, he accepted Christ. He later was baptized and joined Virgil MB Church. He enjoyed the youth group and played his mouth organ in a musical group. He married Irene Schroeder of Main Centre, Sask. June 17, 1961. They lived in Virgil, where he was involved in music ministry, singing in a family trio and the Virgil Men's Quartet. In 1987 Elden went into business for himself in Tillsonburg. Irene died Feb. 28, 1993. Later that year, he married Marilyn Long of Tillsonburg. They operated a successful hardware business. In May 2000 they sold the business and retired. In June Elden suffered his second heart attack, and his health deteriorated. Predeceased by Irene, he is mourned by Marilyn; children Larry of Niagara Falls, Lynn Mansfield of Tillsonburg, Joan Heidebrecht of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Jean and Sharon Diamond, both of St. Catharines, and Donna Bernatchez of Tillsonburg; 3 stepchildren; 16 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was July 27 in Bethel Baptist Church, St. Catharines, with Paul Robinson ministering.