David G. Pannepacker

On July 29, 2022, David G Pannepacker, a lifelong Newtown resident affectionately known as "Mr. P." by the town, passed away at the age of 89. Dave was born on August 11, 1932, to Cleon and Evelyn Pannepacker. He graduated from Newtown High School on Chancellor Street and served stateside in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954. Dave worked for 33 years with the United States Post Office in Newtown, and after retiring from USPS at age 55 he drove a school bus route for Grey Nun Academy for many additional years. During his teens he worked at the local farms, as a caddy at the Langhorne Country Club, and as an usher at the Newtown Theatre. It was at the theatre he met the daughter of the projectionist and ticket counter, Elizabeth (Betty) Fulton, to whom he was married for 30 years until her passing in 1985. Years later he would describe his usher job as "the best job I ever had" since it introduced him to Betty, with whom he had four children that they raised in their South Chancellor Street home. He remained devoted even after marrying again, still keeping her photo in his wallet and sharing with new friends later in life. Dave had many hobbies over the years. He was an avid motorcyclist, taking road trips with friends each year. He played and watched golf and enjoyed traveling to NASCAR races with his buddies Dave Burns, Les Balderston and Jack Tomlinson. He enjoyed traveling the US and abroad to England & France, and made cross-country trips with his wife Carolyn Long, with whom he enjoyed almost 30 years of marriage prior to her recent passing in March of this year. He was devoted to many local organizations, too many to list, but his legacy includes staying active in American Legion Post 440 and being a 65-year volunteer member of the Newtown Fire Association. Two recent special moments were riding as marshal for the Newtown Memorial Day Parade and NFA honoring him in 2021 with a dedication plaque on the newly purchased Station 45 rescue pumper. Dave had a passion for all things fire-related and delighted his grandkids with rides on his 1948 Mack pumper and 1961 Willys Jeep fire trucks. But for the last 35 years, one of his greatest joys was simply time spent in Newtown. Mr. P. would make his daily rounds, having coffee at the fire house, running errands for his friends, and checking in at his various regular spots to make sure everything was running smoothly. He kept regular breakfasts with his beloved high school Class of 1950, still meeting monthly 70+ years later. He joked that his neighbors must think he still had a job because he left every morning and would be gone all day, spending meals and other time out with his family and friends. Mr. P was always happy, greeted everyone with a smile, and was as sincere and warm-hearted a friend as anyone could ever want. Dave was preceded in death by his wife Betty and his wife Carolyn, his daughter Gail and son-in-law Jack, his son Gary and grandson Stephen. He is survived by his brother Cleon ("Penny") Pannepacker, his sister Ann Balderston, his two sons Eric Pannepacker (Nancy) and Scot Pannepacker (Heidi Wilenius), his daughter-in-law Anne Pannepacker, and grandchildren Dave Pannepacker (Jessie Dean), Brian Pannepacker (Kristina), Lauren & Lexi Pannepacker, and Maia & Cormac Wilenius. He also had caring and devoted stepsons, nieces, and nephews. Dave was fond of telling people about his extended family but would always add he was so lucky because if he counted all his friends he had "the largest family in Newtown". Relatives and friends are invited to greet Dave's family on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 10:00 AM until his Funeral Service at 12:00 Noon at the Swartz-Givnish Funeral Home, 323 E. Washington Ave., Newtown, PA 18940. MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED BY ALL. His interment will follow at Newtown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dave's name may be made to the Newtown Fire Association at http://www.newtownfire.com/donate.html .