PENNEY, Oscar S. c1879-1936

PENNEY, WHITE, SMITH, HARTNELL, LONIE, GODFREY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/4/2012 at 13:17:16

TRIBUTE TO OSCAR
PENNEY, FORMER
MITCHELL COUNTIAN

(Here is a sketch about a former Mitchell countian, Oscar Penney, taken from the Eastside Journal, Kirkland, Washington. Mr. Penney was born at Stacyville and moved to Osage with his parents, the Henry Penney's, in his boyhood. He left Osage about 35 years ago for Texas, moving later to Washington. His first wife was Edith Penney, and on her death within a few years after their marriage, he married her sister, Edna. Both women were daughters of J.H. White.)

Kirkland and the east side of the lake lost one of its most-admired, respected and useful citizens when, on June 4, 1936, Oscar S. Penney answered the final summons. Mr. Penney, who was 57 years of age, died at his home following an extended illness. Despite his illness, his death came as a shock to the community for in recent months he had been able to be up and about town.

Twenty years ago Oscar Penney came to Kirkland to work in the Kirkland State Bank. Several years later he assisted Glenn Johnson in organizing, and then took charge of the First National Bank of Kirkland. With the sale of the banking interest of Kirkland to the present owners, Mr. Penney was asked to continue as vice president and director. He continued to serve in that capacity until illness forced his retirement, and even after that he remained an officer in the bank.

During all of these years of public service Mr. Penney has continued to enlarge his circle of friends, and it has been said many times that if he doubled his enemies he would still have none.

He was continually rendering some kind of service or advice to those who needed it, taking each request with greater sincerity that if it were his own. It is felt that much of his recent breakdown is due to the seriousness with which he has taken his responsiblities.

For several years Mr. Penney served as treasurer for the Kirkland relief fund, and during the early days of county relief, handled the funds and records of this operation. While he was always ready to assume his share of community responsibility and do his work well and with meticulous care, he was equally careful to see that his efforts were not dragged into the limelight or given any recognition.

When it came to contributions for community undertaking, Mr. Penney was usually among the first to do his share, and again with the request that he be given no publicity. For years he has been an active supporter of the Kirkland Community church.

Mr. Penney leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, Edna Penney, and four sisters: Mrs. Amy Smith, of Kirkland; Mrs. W.F. Hartnell, of Osage, Iowa; Mrs. H.L. Lonie, of Chicago; and Mrs. Maude Godfrey, of Los Angeles.

Funeral services were held on June 8, with Rev. C.E. Newberry, a friend of many years' standing, officiating. Interment was in Kirkland Cemetery.

[ MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS -- June 25, 1936 ]

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