Who was Ilene Mae Penn? Maybe you met her during her 94 years in Indiana, especially in Wabash. Maybe it was at Miller’s Merry Manor where she spent the last couple years, or back in 2000 while she recovered from surgery. Maybe it was at Ivy Tech where she was a receptionist from about 1998 to a few years ago. Maybe it was during the time she spent as a Business Teacher at Renseler Community Schools or Crown Point Community Schools from 1966 to 1991. Or eating at the Winchester Senior Center or Burger King. Maybe it was at Wabash Friends Church.
So, who was Ilene Penn? She was the daughter of John and Muriel (Bolinger) Penn. Born on May 8, 1926, in North Manchester, Indiana. Pastel colors, especially blue and pink, were her favorites. She played with two brothers, Wilbur and Harold. She was a bit of a tomboy. She liked and was pretty good at softball and tennis. Ilene took care of many cats and dogs. Most of all, she was Christian. She thought of others and was concerned for the feelings of all her family and her friends.
Ilene was a 1945 graduate of Wabash High School. She graduated, in 1965, from Ball State University, with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and earned a master’s degree in business education in 1967. She left teaching to care for her mother.
Ilene was member of the Wabash Garden Club, Latrian Club, and the Wabash Club House Association. She attended Wabash Friends Church and joined the First Christian Church in Crown Point in 1967. She was also a member of the Indiana State Teacher’s Association, the National Business Teacher’s Association and the Business and Professional Women’s Association of Marion, Indiana.
Ilene is survived by nephews and nieces, Kathy (Richard) Hubbard, Dawn (Ray) Copeland, David Penn, all of Wabash and Allen (Lora) Penn, of Bluffton, Randy (Pam) Penn, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Karon (James) Pessig, of Pontiac, Illinois, Craig Penn, of New Castle, Jason Penn and Jimmie Penn, of Tucson, Arizona; thirteen great nephews and nieces; 22 great-great nephews and nieces and ten great-great-great nephews and nieces. Other relatives and friends will miss her and her “How about that.”
Ilene is preceded in death by two brothers, Wilbur L. Penn and Harold E. Penn.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor David Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory in Marion, Indiana.
Visitation for friends and family will be two hours prior to the funeral services starting at 9:00 a.m.
Preferred memorials are to the Wabash Friends Church Benevolent Fund, 3563 State Road 13, Wabash, Indiana 46992 or to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com
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