Bobby Lee Penney 76, of Waupaca, WI, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2014 surrounded by his loving family.
He is now free of pain and suffering and gone home to our Heavenly Father. Bobby was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca for over 52 years. He was employed at the Waupaca Foundry for over 38 years. He also was a bartender at Central Lanes for over 30 years. Since his retirement from the Foundry, he was a volunteer groundskeeper for many years at Evergreen Campsites by Saxeville/Wild Rose. He was a league bowler for the over 30 years and served as secretary-treasurer of the Waupaca Foundry team for 25 years. After joining the Waupaca Lions Club in 1982, he served as president, vice president, director and currently was tail twister, holding that position over 15 years. Bobby received the award for top fund raiser many years for selling roses and raffle tickets, and also serving as chairman of the Lions 9-Pin Bowling Tournament many years. In 2007, he was awarded the coveted Melvin Jones Award. Other interests included playing cards, Canada fishing trips, weekend camping trips, dancing to polka and old-time music, traveling the states, annual trips for over 25 years to the State Fair, Milwaukee Zoo and Wisconsin Dells, and most recently being a seasonal camper for over 20 years. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Bobby is survived by Sandy (Rohloff), his spouse of 52 years; son Randy (Julie) Penney of Appleton; daughter Sherry West (David Schroeder) of Ripon; grandson Trevor West of Marinette; granddaughter Trisha West of Minneapolis; step-grandsons Kevin (Ashley) Hubert and Josh (Candy) Giordana; and step-granddaughters Amy Anderson and Kali Giordana; 2 great step-grandchildren; and former son-in-law Gary West of Waupaca. Bobby was further survived by his brother Roger Penney of Dubois, WY; sister-in-laws Inga (Peggy) Penney of Waupaca, Marlene (Ron) Hopfensperger of Sturgeon Bay, Ginny (Peter) Johnson of Waupaca, and Ann (Bob) DuField of New London; brother-in-laws Gary (Sandy) Rohloff of Mosinee, Rick (Cathy) Rohloff of Appleton, Bill (Kristine Snowden) Miller of Scandinavia, and Gilbert Rosin of Wautoma. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Winnie (Aldrich) Penney of Amherst; mother-in-law Lois (Cartwright) Miller of Waupaca; brother Garth Penney and sister Marilyn Strebe, both of Amherst; sister-in-law Barbara Rosin of Wautoma; and brothers-in-law Melvin Wennesberg of Amherst, Vilas Strebe of Amherst, and John Miller of Waupaca.
A service was held for Bobby on June 14 and he was laid to rest at Lakeside Cemetery. His family will cherish memories of his love and selflessness forever. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the employees at Theda Clark and RMC, paramedics and Theda Star, and Holly’s Funeral Home. Special thanks to Dr. Negrete and Dr. Rathjen in Waupaca.