Wesley Merrill (John) Penalver died this last week at his home in Brownwood, Texas. He was born on July 22, 1926 in New Orleans, LA to the late Oscar Wentworth (Jack) Penalver, Sr. & the late Mary Ann Penalver Martin.
He grew up in Vicksburg, MS and attended Carr Central High School, graduating in 1944. He was a US Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving as an A&P mechanic on Guam and in the Philippines. After the war, he and his high school sweetheart Mary Jane Martin of Vicksburg, MS were married and had four children, Diana, John, Jack & Tom.
He worked in aerospace engineering for most of his life, as a machinist and tool designer. After becoming a Christian in 1955, he served as a lay-preacher and music director, and also worked with rescue missions. In 1967, he became a Baptist missionary for a decade, serving primarily in Australia. Although he returned to work in engineering after his missionary service, he continued to preach and write and serve as needed in local churches in Texas.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane Martin of 22 years; his brother, Oscar Wentworth (Jack) Penalver, Jr. of Vicksburg, MS; his sister, Mary Marjorie Hedrick of Vicksburg, MS; and his wife Gaynelle Pierce Penalver of 38 years.
He is survived by a daughter, Diana Mitchell of Hickory, NC and her husband Thomas W. Mitchell and three sons, John Martin Penalver of Key West, FL and his wife Meg, Jack Lee Penalver of Wake Forest, NC, and his wife Liliana, and Thomas Rodwell Penalver of Whitesboro, TX, and his wife Mellissa.
His grandchildren are: Dwayne Mitchell, Andrew Mitchell, Nathan Penalver, Melody Penalver, David Penalver, Stephen Penalver, Jonathan Penalver, Adam Penalver, and Jacob Penalver.
Also remembered are his sister-in-law Shirley Pierce Byars and her husband Harry Byars, from Dallas, Texas.
John Penalver is also survived by a niece, Michael Ann Zeh; a nephew, Adam Penalver and his wife Jennifer, of Vicksburg, MS; and a nephew Cecil (Butch) Hedrick of California.
A graveside memorial service is planned for Thursday at 2PM at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early. Heartland Funeral Home of Early, Texas is in charge of arrangements. John will be missed by family and friends.
Condolences can be offered to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
