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Philip “Phil” Lynn Penny, 63 years, of rural Decatur was born June 3, 1955, to Forrest and Lucille (Gatewood) Penny in Oakland. He passed away Aug. 17, 2018, at his home surrounded by loved ones. Phil grew up and spent most of his life on the Penny family farm south of Decatur. He was an avid outdoorsman and when he wasn’t working, he spent his time devoted to passing on his passions of mushroom hunting, fishing, hunting, or riding motorcycles to his sons and the rest of his family.

Phil was a heavy equipment operator at the Fort Calhoun rock quarry for 16 years, until he became a boilermaker in the spring of 2004. He was an integral member of a crew that saved the house, crops and land on the family farm during the flood of 2011. His lifelong labor of love was working side-by-side with his brother, Joe.

Phil is known far and wide as an ornery prankster, an animated and hilarious storyteller, very sneaky and he loved to scare people. Phil was a gentle soul, a giver but never a taker, saver/border line hoarder, Sasquatch hunter, spiritual man, loyal, dedicated and caring to his family, friends and his dog, Katie. Known for his goofy facial expressions and his “When In Doubt Mumble” motto.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joe Penny; brother-in-law, Bob Mussack; and nephew, Colt Penny.

Phil is survived by his significant other, Debbie Reynek of Decatur; sons, Heath (Amy) Penny of Arlington and Tory Penny of Decatur; two grandchildren, Tayler “Shae” Penny and Hayden Penny, both of Lincoln; sisters, Cindy Mussack of Omaha and Sandy (Greg) Brummond of Craig; step-brother, Dan (Heidi) Mussack of Blair; step-sisters, Mary (Scott) Christ of Overland Park, Kan., and Jean Wiersma of Decatur; his first wife, Laura Penny of Sioux City, Iowa; step-mother, Erma Shawver of Lyons; sister-in-law, Brenda Penny of Decatur; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, his beloved dog, Katie and many, many dear friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, 10:30 a.m. at the Decatur Fire Hall in Decatur. Burial was at Hillcrest cemetery in Decatur. Visitation was held Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation was also held Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the Decatur Fire Hall.

#2 Funeral Leaflet

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Philip “Phil” Lynn Penny

63 years, 2 months, 14 days

Born June 3, 1955 Oakland, Nebraska; Entered Into Rest August 17, 2018 Rural Decatur, Nebraska

Funeral Service Wednesday, August 22, 2018 10:30 A.M. Decatur Fire Hall, Decatur, Nebraska. Officiating: Barry Major, Jon Reeves, Jeff Hoier. Special Music: “Things My Father Said”, “Amazing Grace”—Dave, Donette, and Darol Smith; “I Can Only Imagine”, “Born To Be Wild”

Casket Bearers: Hayden Penny, Randall Brummond, Whit Brummond, Rick Huffman, Jason Mussack, Jeff Mussack, David Dickinson, Ken Wood, Rob Grandgenett

Honorary Casket Bearers: Dan “Boone” Eagleton, Tim “Narrow” Sears, Marty Rocca, Jay Vogltance, Jack Dunning, Jerry Dunning, Greg Brummond, Dan Mussack, Dave Vaughn, Lynn Kellogg, Gary Banner, Shannon Kellogg, John Gatewood, Grant Reynek

Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, Nebraska

~~~ Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~