Estella June Penner

Estella "June" Penner, 85, of Bethany, OK, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 14, 2023. She was born to Paul Nathan and Stella Newlon in Butler, MO, on April 21, 1938. When June was very young, her family moved often to various states due to her father's pastoring different churches and his other occupations. Her early education began in Weslaco and San Marcos, TX, Stigler, OK and Clinton and Garden City, MO. In 1953, her family moved to Bethany, OK for her brother Bryan to attend college. June finished her education at and graduated from Bethany High School in 1956, and was a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society. Some of her best subjects were short hand, and Home-Ec where she learned to make her own clothes and later used this skill to make dresses for her 3 daughters. She enjoyed singing in the choir, helping in church and the 4-H club. After graduating she got her first job as an assistant bookkeeper at M. L. Foster Co. From 1957 to 1961 she worked in accounting and bookkeeping for Montgomery Wards and Mid-America Corp in OKC. She met her future husband, Vern Penner from Corn OK, through his friend from barber college in 1960. They were married on January 27, 1961 and made their home in Weatherford. In 1962, they had their first child, Sheryl Deann, then in 1963 Karen Sue came along. They continued to enjoy life in Weatherford where June was a devoted mother, wife, and homemaker. In 1965, their third daughter, Vonda Kay, was born and shortly after the family moved to Bethany. June returned to a working career in 1966 at Western Electric assembling telephone equipment for the next 7 years. She is described by her, dearest friends and family, as a very kind, loving, giving, and selfless woman. She spent her life as a devoted mother, wife, and homemaker. She loved her entire family, adored her grandchildren, and was affectionately referred to as "Grandma June." She enjoyed giving gifts and sending cards to many of her friends and family at every holiday, and attending church and singing in the choir at Council Road Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 52 years Vern, 2 brothers Bryan and David Newlon, her brother-in-law Jack Richardson, and 2 son-in-law's Dave Hatch and Ron Walkup. Survivors include her brother Paul Newlon and wife Debbie of Yukon, OK, sister Mary Richardson of OKC, 3 daughters Sheryl Deann Hatch of Toronto, KS, Karen Carr (Terry) of Ankeny IA, and Vonda Walkup of Warr Acres, OK, 7 grand children-Katie Boutwell (Brian), Michele Walker, Jacob Walkup (Danni), Mary Walkup, Hannah Carr, Austin Carr and Joseph Carr, 2 great grandsons Matthew and Isaac Boutwell, and many nieces and nephews. June will be dearly missed and remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and friend, and for her devotion to God.