LIBERAL — Daniel Joseph Penney, 61, of Liberal, passed away Tuesday from a sudden illness. Dan was born Dec. 28, 1949 at Great Bend. He went to school and worked there until 1968, when he moved to Kansas City, Mo. In 1983, he met his wife, Louise and moved to the rural Liberal, Mo. area.

He loved hunting, fishing and gardening, and supplied many a friend and relative with fresh game and vegetables. He was a good handy-man, and could fix almost anything. He was a lifetime member of the North American Hunt Club.

Dan became an over-the-road trucker, and did that all of his life. He was a Vietnam veteran and served two years in the United States Navy. Most of his service was in Africa in communications, decoding messages.

Dan is survived by his wife of 28 years, Louise Hopkins, and one daughter, Meta Raye Penney, both of the home; one son, Mike Penney of Kansas City, Mo. two daughters, Gena Sims of Liberal, Mo. and Tina Borden of Mindenmines, Mo.; two brothers, Gary Penney of Odessa, Mo. and Mike Penney of Great Bend. He also has six grandchildren, Desiraye Penney, Josh Gooding, Alexandra and Brooklyn Sims, Shelbe Borden, and Liam Penney.

Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 at the funeral home.

Funeral Services will be 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at Daniel Funeral Home followed with Military Funeral Honors conducted on the front lawn of the funeral home. According to Dan’s wishes, he will be taken for cremation after the services.

Contributions are suggested to the Dan Penney family in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Oct. 13, 2011*