January 4, 1933 – December 4, 2018
information provided by Hughey Funeral Home
James William Pennington, 85, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 12:33pm December 4, 2018, at Mount Vernon Healthcare Center. He was born January 4, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late James Dewey and Leah Lona (Thomas) Pennington. James married Edna May (Johnson) Pennington on June 14, 1957, in Elmhurst, Illinois. They were blessed with 61 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, James is survived by his children: Nancy (Pennington) Jensen of Mount Vernon, Illinois; David Eric Pennington and wife Nancy of Richardson, Texas; and Susan Louise (Pennington) Bussema and husband Dave of Austin, Texas; eight grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Thomas Lee Pennington and wife Elaine of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Elizabeth Ann Martin of Austin, Texas; and two nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents and son, William James Pennington.
James graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, from the ROTC program. He then served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Lieutenant. He was a science and math teacher for junior high schools. In 1962, he earned a Master’s degree from Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. Upon retirement after 31 years of teaching, Jim and Edna moved to Mount Vernon, where he became a farmer and built the family home himself. James was a member of Logan Street Baptist Church. He was very active in sports, including volleyball and golf. James was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew him.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, December 22, 2018, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, December 23, 2018, at 3:00pm at Logan Street Baptist Church with Pastor Alan Smith officiating. Memorials are to be directed to Logan Street Baptist Church.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
