Joseph Pennell

CHESTERFIELD, VA - Joseph E. Pennell, 92, went to be with the Lord and reunited with the love of his life on July 7, 2017.

Joe, also known affectionately as Pop Pop, and Poppy Joe, was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where he graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, served in World War II, returned home, and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University where he met his future wife. He went on to receive a Master's in Education from THE Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes) and Indiana University. He married Carol A. White November 23, 1952, who preceded him in death in 1988, after 36 beautiful years of marriage. While married, he worked at Kent State University for several years, until finding a better opportunity, and relocated his family to Springfield, VA where he finished out his career as the Audio Visual Coordinator for Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus. He retired in 1988, and after the death of his wife, returned to Ohio, where he lived in Delaware, Ohio until moving back to Chesterfield, VA in 2009 to be close to his children and grandchildren, and live out the remainder of his years. A devout Christian, he was very active in several churches and ministries over the years, including Harvester Presbyterian, Delaware Bible Church, and most recently, Centralia Presbyterian Church. Nothing made him happier than spending time with friends and sharing his wealth of knowledge and gardening skills (especially his orchids), as well as many stories of travel throughout the world and the time he spent in the service. He will be remembered by his constant smile, his intense pride for his family, his big hugs, incredibly sharp memory, and his deep love of the Bible and devotion to God.

He was preceded in death by sisters Eudorah Schaefer and Miriam Everhart, and brother Wilford "Bill" Pennell, and is survived by his son David J. Pennell of Springfield, Virginia; daughter Cynthia S. Evans (Michael) of Moseley, Virginia; granddaughters Megan E. Evans of Richmond, Virginia, Paige A. Evans of Moseley, Virginia, and Madison C. Pennell of Springfield, Virginia; grandsons Preston D. Pennell of Springfield, Virginia and Trevor J. "TJ" Evans of Moseley, Virginia; sister Sylvia Roth of Cincinnati, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 13 at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. A Funeral Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the Clifford-Shoemaker, Rev. Marvin Hintz, Retired, will officiate, where friends may call for one hour prior to service time. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery. The family would like to thank the Bon Secours Hospice for their brief, but wonderful care. As a grandfather to a type 1 diabetic, research was very important to him. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate in Mr. Pennell's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A celebration of life service will be held in Chesterfield, VA at Centralia Presbyterian Church in Chester, VA at a date to be announced later. Services entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home and Crematory, 330-928-2147.

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