John I Pennabaker

John I. Pennabaker, 86, of Juniata, died Friday evening at UPMC Altoona. He was born in Roaring Spring, a son of the late Hayden and Katherine Isabelle (Shaner) Pennabaker. He was twice married, first to Hattie Arlene Byers on January 9, 1954, in Altoona. She preceded him in death on January 26, 2009, then to Debra A. Wasdin on June 4, 2010. Surviving are his wife, three sons, John I. Pennabaker Jr., of Tyrone, Dennis C. Pennabaker of Houtzdale, Mark C. Pennabaker of Everett, one daughter, Mary E. Conrad of Dysart, 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, two brothers, Richard S. of Auburndale, Florida, William E. of State College, two sisters, Edith L. Cunningham and Saundra L. Pennabaker, both of Hubbard, Ohio. He was preceded in death one grandson, Jerrod Pennabaker, four sisters, Viola E. Hollabaugh, Katherine Hoover, Beatrice J. Polasko, Bonnie S. Ellmore and two brothers, Michael L. and Robert H. Pennabaker. He was a 1976 graduate of Altoona High School and received his Masters Equivalency from Penn State. He had been a member of the former Fourth Lutheran Church. In 1944, at age 16, John worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a fireman. In 1946 he joined the Army and went to Germany and fought for our country serving also in Korea in 1951 and Vietnam in 1966 and then retired in 1969 at the rank of CW3. Following that he was an instructor in the Small Engine Repair Program at the Altoona Vo-Tech School, retiring in 1989. Friends will be received from 9am to 11am, Saturday June 14, 2014, at the Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc., Juniata. A funeral service with Full Military Honors will begin at 11am Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Dave McClanahan, officiating. Interment at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to: Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 or the charity of your choice.