Wilson-Little Funeral Home
Purcell-Newcastle, McClain Co. OK
(permission granted)

Melvin Penner age 79 of Wanette, OK passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015 in Norman.

Melvin was born on October 2, 1936 in Rosedale, OK. He was the 9th child of 12 children born to Henry Clifton Penner and Edna Mae (Clark) Penner. Melvin grew up a farm boy living in the Rosedale area. As a young man he learned how to work hard, working with his brothers and sisters in the cotton and broomcorn fields. He attended Rosedale Schools graduating with the class of 1956. Melvin married JoAnn Jones and together they raised two sons, Cliffton and Chris. For 14 years Melvin and JoAnn owned and operated the Penner Grocery Store, east of Wayne. During this time Melvin also worked full time at the Wayne Cotton Gin as a Ginner and farmed. Then in the 1970’s and 1980’s he worked for Grissom Ranch near Byars. He last job was working for Cleveland Co. District 3 and worked there until he retired in 2007. In 1992 he married Tracy Rowe and together they raised two children, Forrest and Raina. In 1996 they bought a farm near Wanette where he enjoyed raising farm animals and gardening, raising watermelons and cantaloupes. Melvin loved being in the outdoors, throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping critters. For a time he enjoyed coaching softball. In his later years he liked going to farm auctions and just piddling around the farm.

He was preceded in death by: Parents, Henry and Edna Penner; 5 Brothers, Tom, Jerrel, Russell, Charles and James; 2 sisters, Bertha Boxley and Towanda Clour;

He is survived by: Four children, Cliffton Paul Penner of Rosedale, Chris Allen Penner of Farmington, NM, Forrest Hunter Penner of Wanette, Raina Faith Penner of Wanette; One brother, Johnny Penner of Lexington, Three sisters, Zelda Murray of Lexington, Dorothy Jones and husband Junior of Wayne, Mary Lynn of Purcell, 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter; Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, December 21, 2015 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell. Interment will be at the Hopping Cemetery in Wayne, OK.