Reginald D. "Reggie" Pennell

1940 - 2011

Reginald D. "Reggie" Pennell, 71, of Jacksonville, died Friday, June 3, 2011, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

He was born April 28, 1940, in Jacksonville, the son of Donald L. "Bus" and Lela G. Murray Pennell. He married Shelby Briggs on Feb. 28, 1960, at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, and she survives.

He is also survived by four children, Timm (wife, Susan) Pennell and Scott (wife, Chris) Pennell, both of Jacksonville, Mike (wife, Teresa) Pennell of St. Joseph and Gina (husband, Randy) Settles of Carrollton; 11 grandchildren, Adam Logue of Mount Vernon, Holly Pennell, Ethan Pennell, Dillon Pennell, Matthew Pennell and Jordan Pennell, all of Jacksonville, Megan Pennell, Lauren Pennell and Cameron Pennell, all of St. Joseph, and Brendan Settles and Garrett Settles, both of Carrollton; one great-granddaughter, Amelia Renee; two brothers, Danny J. (wife, Jan) Pennell of Roscoe and James G. Pennell of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry G. Pennell and Donald Lee Pennell.

Mr. Pennell owned and operated Rally Auto Sales on South Main Street in Jacksonville for nearly 30 years. He previously had been a salesman for Hertzberg-New Method Book Bindery in Jacksonville and the builder of many homes in the community. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and also held memberships in the Jacksonville Elks and Moose lodges, and Harmony Lodge 3, A.F.&A.M., Scottish Rite-Valley of Springfield, Ansar Shrine and Rasna Shrine Club.

Reggie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, seldom missing his grandchildren's activities and sporting events. He coached Little League baseball when his children were young, and family vacations were a yearly highlight. Reggie was a big fan of Western television and movies, with John Wayne and Gene Autry ranking among his favorites. He was a race fan and collected model cars, and loved meeting with his coffee clubs each morning.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. Friends may call after 12 Noon on Monday at the Williamson Funeral Home, where family will meet friends from 5-7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Father Flanagan's Boys Home. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.