Velma Pennington
Velma Ruth Pennington, 73, of Bruin passed away Saturday evening at Butler Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy illness.
Born Jan. 8, 1942, in Kaylor, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Kenneth R. and Myrtle Clare Weigle Hillwig.
She attended Kaylor Elementary School and graduated from East Brady High School in 1959. In her later years, she attended classes at Butler County Community College and Slippery Rock University.
In her early years, she attended the Berean Baptist Church at Kaylor, where she was involved with the youth group, taught Sunday school and served as pianist.
Velma was a “stay-at-home” mom until 1985. She devoted her time to family, church, and community. She was a Girl Scout leader for 10 years, involved with the International Order of Rainbow, mother adviser to Chicora Assembly (Rainbow) and member of the advisory board. She taught Sunday school and served as children's department pianist at the then Martinsburg Presbyterian Church. She chaperoned many trips and activities when her children attended the Bruin school and Karns City High School.
She was employed at OPM-FIPC in Boyers from where she retired.
Velma enjoyed scrapbooking and researching family history (genealogy). She also enjoyed dining out with her family.
She was a member and past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 60 of Parker, the Martinsburg Church of Bruin, the Bradys Bend Historical Society and the Foxy Lodge of Red Hat Ladies.
She is survived by her husband, Robert L. Pennington, who she married Oct. 20, 1962; two daughters, Marilou (Tom) von Gunden of Cleveland, Ohio, and Kathy (Tom) Wagner of Buffalo, N.Y.; one son, Robert L. (Beth) Pennington of Bruin; three grandchildren, Rebecca Pennington, Thomas Wagner Jr. and Caitlin Wagner; four sisters, Twila Williams of Kaylor, Doris (David) Bevington of Springville, N.Y., Anna (Carl) Emanuelson of Sugarcreek Township, Pa., and Dixie Bryant of Kaylor; two brothers, Darrel (Margie) Hillwig of Bruin and Dean (Andrea) Hillwig of Kaylor; one sister-in-law: Carolyn Hillwig of Kaylor; and 21 nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Alex Pennington, and three brothers, Clyde Pennington, James (Jim) Hillwig and one infant brother.
PENNINGTON — Friends of Velma Ruth Pennington, who died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, 201 S. Wayne Ave., Parker.Funeral service without an additional viewing will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Martinsburg Church of Bruin with her son, Robert L. Pennington, officiating. Burial will follow at the New Salem Cemetery at Annisville, Route 38 in Butler County.The Order of Eastern Star Chapter 60 of Parker will conduct a memorial service at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.To view/send condolences, flowers, sympathy cards, visit www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.
