Theodore Pennell

Theodore Dean “Ted” Pennell, 65 of Petoskey died June 7, 2017 at the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital.

Ted was born on December 16, 1951 in Grand Haven, MI, the son of Theodore and Velma (Page) Pennell and at the age of 10 moved to Petoskey.  He graduated from Petoskey High School with the class of 1970 and was drafted in the US Army where he proudly served his country until he received his discharge in October 1972 and returned home, continuing his education at North Central Michigan College.

On May 26, 1973, Ted married the love of his life, the former Lucy J. Shearer and together they made their home in Bay Shore.  Ted went to work at Barnum Brothers for 10 years before going to work as a Clerk for the United States Postal Service.  He worked as a Clerk  in Charlevoix, before he received his retirement after almost 31 years of service in 2009.

He enjoyed traveling, golf and fast pitch softball and played on various leagues including one for cribbage and volleyball as well as coaching little league baseball.   He was a man of tremendous faith and was a member of the Petoskey Salvation Army.   

Ted was a goofball thru and thru.  He loved making up his own lyrics to songs and proudly sang them, as well as always loving to joke around.  He always enjoyed playing the Devil’s Advocate and with his competitive nature, you better be on your A-Game if you were going up against him and that extended to family games of cards, board games, and Yahtzee.  

Ted is survived by his wife, Lucy; 3 children, Dean Pennell of Petoskey, Timothy Pennell of St. Petersburg, FL, and Jennifer (David Warnke) Pennell of Brownstown, MI; 2 granddaughters, Ellamae and Leonora Pennell; 4 siblings, LeRoy (Arlene) Pennell of Barrie, Ontario, Barbara MacLean of Leesburg, FL, Beverly (Terry) Early of Axis, AL, and Doreen (Fabian) Ortega of Radium Springs, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Gail Pennell; a daughter-in-law, Pavla Pennell Kaliśova; and by a brother-in-law, John MacLean.

The family will receive friends at the Stone Funeral Home on Saturday, June 10th from 1-3pm followed immediately with a service celebrating Ted’s life at 3:00pm.

Those wishing to honor Ted’s memory are asked to make a donation to the Petoskey Salvation Army.

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