Charles Pennington

Charles William Chuck Pennington, died Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at Oaklawn Health Care Center, Mankato.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 15, 2006 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato, with Rev. Dean Wolf and Rev. Pam Serdar officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Memorials may be given to Glenwood Cemetery, Centenary United Methodist Church, or to an organization of the donors choice.

Chuck was born March 9, 1913, in Dexter, Kansas, to the Rev. John R. and Lulu (Allee) Pennington. In 1928, the family moved to Mankato, where his father accepted a call to the First Baptist Church. Chuck was a 1931 Mankato High School graduate and was named to the All-Conference basketball team during his senior year. Basketball remained a passion throughout his life. While attending Mankato State Teachers College, Chuck excelled at football, basketball, and track. He served with the U.S. Army in Europe with the 7th Armored Cavalry from 1943-1946.

On September 25, 1937, Chuck was united in marriage to Evelyn June Babe Page. Babe died May 9, 1995. Chucks death falls on the 11th anniversary of Babes passing.

In 1952, Chuck founded KatoLight Corporation, a manufacturer of generator sets world-wide. He served as president for 35 years and continued daily morning visits to the office after retirement.

Chuck devoted a lifetime of service to Minnesota State University-Mankato and to his community. He was a member of the MSU Foundation from 1967-1983 and served as vice-president and president. Chuck was active in fund drives at MSU. He was always interested in the mens athletic program as a member of the Booster Club and was the prime motivator behind the Mankato Sports Classic. In 1963, he was elected as a charter member of the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1979, he was honored as a recipient of the MSU Distinguished Alumni award. In 1987, the Pennington Foundation Building was named in his honor and he was also recognized by the MSU Foundation as their Outstanding Volunteer in 1996. Babe and Chuck established endowments for basketball, botany, and communication disorders.

Chuck had been involved in many community activities including Masons, Shriners, Mankato Rehabilitation Board, past-president of Mankato Rotary, board member of Twin City Federal bank, the Mankato Golf Club, and former-chairman of the Greater Mankato Area Fund Drive. He received recognitions including the Book of Golden Deeds Award, Boss of the Year award, and the WCCO Good Neighbor award.

Chuck had been an active member, a trustee, and president of First Baptist, his former church. He served on the Multi Church Development Committee and continued his support and involvement with the Centenary United Methodist Church.

Chuck is survived by a sister, Roma Brow of Stow, Ohio; nieces and nephews and their families, Donna and Lee Nordgren of Mankato, Richard and Carol O Brien of North Mankato, Marcia Richards of Mankato, Kay and Lyle Jacobson of Kasota, Shyamal Sam and Mary Roy of Mankato, and the families of the late Sharon Klaverkamp. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Babe and brothers, Truman and Earl.

Chuck will be remembered for his quiet strength, his humility, and his thoughtful, loving kindness.