Daniel Pennell

Mr. Daniel Pennell, 90, of School Street, Killbuck, NY died Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at his home.

Born on January 11, 1922 in Salamanca, NY he was the son of the late Harlan & Rose Toner Pennell. He fell in love with a wonderful woman and was married on May 3, 1952 to the former Marilynne "Molly" Blackmon, who predeceased him on November 5, 2004.

At age 16, he entered the Civilian Conservation Corp in Quaker to help his parents' finances for two years. At age 19, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving with the 389th Infantry, 98th Division in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. At the end of the war, he was reassigned from the Canton Islands to the occupation forces in Japan. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon, Rifleman's Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.

When he returned from the war, he apprenticed under his father as a plasterer and was accepted into the union as a journeyman plasterer, which became his life's career.

Mr. Pennell often commented that he never got far from his roots. He was very happy in the little town of Killbuck, where he had served as the fire chief for the Killbuck Volunteer Fire Department for seventeen years. Upon his retirement from the fire department, he was honored with a lifetime membership. He enjoyed writing poetry and was frequently published in the Salamanca Press and in a poetry book, of which he was very proud.

Surviving are: a daughter, Cheryl Pennell, Enoch, UT; 4 sons, Terry (Helena) Pennell, Killbuck, NY, David (Tami) Pennell, Bradford, PA, Daniel (Cynthia) Pennell II, Little Valley, NY, Scott (Annabelle) Pennell, Claymont, DE; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Virginia Pennell Ward, Great Valley, NY; 1 brother, David (Katharine) Pennell, Killbuck, NY; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 2 granddaughters, Tiffany Pennell and Amber Pennell, 2 sisters, Betty Pennell and Jean Pennell Tackentien, and 3 brothers, James Pennell, Dennison Pennell, and John Pennell.

Friends may call at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Thursday, May 10th from 4 – 7 p.m.

Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Maple Grove Cemetery, Machias, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com, or posted to facebook.com/onofh.