Obituaries

Helen E. Penton

July 19, 1916 - January 15, 2013

Helen E. Penton, 96, of Batavia, passed away January 15, 2013 at the DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton. She was born July 19, 1916 in Chicago, the daughter of Christ and Frieda (nee Heimel) Unrath. She was united in marriage to Hubert Penton.  Helen was a special person, truly appreciated by all who knew her for her wonderful sense of humor, her giving nature, her eternal optimism, her faith, her enthusiasm and zest for life. She loved people, animals, bible class and church, and being active, at work and at play. In her many years of working at the Western Electric cafeteria in West Chicago, she made many friends, and added up food trays in her head faster and more accurately than anyone before or since. She allowed her three kids, when children, to have an amazing array of animals, including, but not limited to dogs, cats, chickens guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, snakes, injured squirrels and wild birds, frogs, horses, and more. She was always active, rising early in the morning and going to bed late at night, leaving the rest of us yearning to keep pace. She loved to dance, sing, fish, cook, eat, to discuss, and to challenge. She was kind, and would give to others even when she didn’t really have the capacity to give. She lived her life with simplicity and authenticity, and in the final days, when many of us would have given up, she continued to find the small things to be happy about…grace until the end. Those who knew her well will never forget her, will always be grateful for all we learned from her, and will miss her, terribly, each and every day.  She is survived by her children Stephen Penton of Batavia, Phillip (Shirley) Penton of Joliet, Kim (Earl Houseman) Penton of Pontiac, MI; grandchildren, Lisa (Bill) Magnuson, Shawn North, David Penton, Phillip (Ashley) Penton Jr., Elizabeth (Michael) Chong, Andrea Penton, Michelle Penton; seven great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Lois Dietmeyer; and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert; a brother, Al (Virginia) Unrath.  Visitation will be held from 4-8 P.M. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave. in Batavia.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 950 Hart Road, in Batavia where she will lie in state from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Rev. Ronald Weidler will officiate. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Gardens West in Oakbrook Terrace.

Memorials

Contributions in Helen’s memory may be directed to alz.org, an organization she had contributed to for many years. 

 

 

Guest Book

  • Angie Anderson Kim & Earl and the entire Penton family, please remember "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal"
  • Brad Friesen Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of your mother. She truly was a kind and wonderful lady, my thoughts are with your family at this sad and difficult time.
  • Carissa Allen Kim and family, I am very sorry for your loss. I loved reading about your mom. Sounds like she lived a very full life, and I can see her traits that she passed on to Kim. Carissa
  • Cheryl Zaidan My thoughts are with the Kim Penton and the entire Penton family during this sad time.
  • Joann and Lee Murdock Helen was always ready with a smile and a good word. We share your feeling of loss, Kim, Earl, Phil, Steve, Andrea, Lois and everyone else who knew her.
  • Peggy Swanbery All of the Penton's are in my prayers during this sad time. I feel a bit of your loss as Helen was so good to me and the greatest Mother in law...she loved, she comforted and protected. I could not have asked for better and I will lover her always.
  • Pauline and Jim Uzelac We are at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. Please know that we are thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
  • Pr. Donald Moll We rejoice in the victory that Helen obtained through faith in Jesus Christ. It was always a pleasure to have her input as a regular participant in our Tuesday morning Bible class.
  • Ben Rohling Our thoughts are with you and the family.
  • Kristin Fleek Kim...what a wonderful recount of your mother! I think I would have liked her a lot. Your zest for life a clear gift from her. She will be with you every day, while dancing in heaven. My sincere prayers for you and your family, to be at peace with this new stage. I wish I could be there to give you a big hug..just try to imagine it. :-)
  • Michelle Boessler We are thinking about you Kim. My thoughts are with you and your family.
  • Susan Thompson Thinking of Kim and Earl and the Penton family during this time of grief-may your memories comfort you in the days ahead.