Vincent L. "Vince" Penry

Vincent “Vince” L. Penry, age 80, of Hanover, Illinois, died Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa. Cremation Rites have been accorded. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Hanover United Methodist Church, Hanover, Illinois with Pastor Lynn Matthews officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in the Bayview Cemetery, Bellingham, Washington. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2009 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, a college memorial fund has been established for his granddaughter, Julie Coe in Vince’s memory.

Vince was born in Bellingham, Washington on December 2, 1928, the son of Walter and Veronica (McQuilken) Penry. Vince graduated from Bellingham High School in 1947. Upon graduation, Vince enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served for three years during the Korean War. On June 27, 1986 he married Lucille I. Johnson in Bellingham.

Vince first worked as a meat cutter for Safeway Grocery Stores and Associated Groceries in the Bellingham area. He was later employed by the City of Bellingham as a park technician for twenty years before retiring in 1990. After retiring, Vince and Lucille traveled across the country in their motor home for a year. In 1999, Vince and Lucille decided to make their new home in Hanover. While living in Hanover, Vince worked at Chestnut Mountain Resort as a ski lift operator for ten years and was the sexton of Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover for the past three years. He also served as a volunteer for the Hanover Park District. Vince enjoyed attending his granddaughter Julie’s school events and loved spending time socializing with friends.

Vince is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Lucille; two sons, Jon Coe of Carbon Cliff, Illinois and Ted (Denise) Coe of Bloomington, Illinois; two daughters, Kathy (Doug) Coe-Vetter of Bellingham and Kim Coe of Maquoketa, Iowa; one special granddaughter, Julie Coe whom he raised; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three nieces and one nephew.

Vince is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James; and two sisters, Patricia Mobly and Catherine Stephens.