Denton M. Penn Jr.

Born September 22, 1942 at Denton, Arkansas to Denton M. and Thelma Lea (Lawrence) Penn, Sr., he married Deborah S. Huskey on June 17, 1962 in Saffell, Arkansas. She survives.

Also surviving are three children, Courtney (Vickie) Penn of Kirkwood, Bart (Mary) Penn of Washington and Christi (Mike) Ringel of Pekin; eight grandchildren, Cory (Emily) Penn, John (Dana) Penn, Nick Penn, Adam (Jessica) Penn, Evan Penn, Jesse (Charity) Ringel, Ben (Sarah) Ringel and Elizabeth (Jack) Krohe; eight great-grandchildren, Harper, Reese, Charlotte, Lucas, Lanie, Logan, Levi and Judah and two brothers, Larry (Sandra) Penn and Mart Lee (Susan) Penn, both of Smithville, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Denton worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 38 years, retiring in 2002 as a Service Training Instructor at Building LC in Peoria. He formerly worked in supervision for Cat in East Peoria. Denton also farmed for more than 30 years in Green Valley.

He was devoted to his family and enjoyed investing time in others. Denton was always a wealth of knowledge.

Denton was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Pekin for more than 20 years, where he served as a trustee. In 1970, he was a inducted into the Frank N. Nicol Lodge No. 1170, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in Creve Coeur and continued his membership with Manito Masonic Lodge #476 A.F & A.M.

Masonic rites will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, with a funeral service immediately following. Pastor Vernon Risner will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Guidelines regarding social distancing and wearing of masks will be followed. Burial will follow the services in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 700 South Capitol Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com