Richard Odom Penick, Jr.

Richard Odom Penick, Jr., 95, Topeka, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Midland Hospice House. He was born Feb. 29, 1920, in Hodgenville, Ky., the son of Reverend Richard O. and Amelia Belle (Harned) Penick. The family moved to Kansas in Oct., 1920, and lived in Whiting, Holton, Hiawatha, Fort Scott, and Independence where his father had Methodist pastorates.

R.O. attended high school and junior college in Independence and Williams Institute of Mortuary Science in Kansas City, Kan. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and served as adjutant of the 123rd General Hospital in England. He was discharged with the rank of Captain.

He retired in 1985, from Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, but for many years continued to assist on services as needed.

R.O.'s memberships had included: University United Methodist Church, Fortitude Lodge No. 107, AF&AM (Independence), York Rite Bodies and St. Bernard Commandery No. 10 (Independence), Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies, Arab Shriners, where he had belonged to the Ritualistic Cast Unit (past-president) and Legion of Honor, Kaw Valley Shrine Club, Order of Quetzalcoatl Cholula Teocali No. 8, Royal Order of Jesters Topeka Court 125, Capital Post No. 1 of the American Legion, Philip Billard Post No. 1650, VFW, and Moose Lodge No. 555.

He was married to Katherine L. (Zahourek) Bates on April 27, 1985, in Topeka. She preceded him in death on Jan. 24, 2013. He was also preceded in death by a son, Scott; a sister, Virginia Cleland; and a brother, William Penick.

Surviving are a son: Richard O. "Rick" Penick III (Penny) of Surprise, Ariz.; and three step-daughters: Carla Weldon of Denver, Colo., Connie Weldon and Christy Weldon both of Topeka.

Memorial and Masonic Services will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 N.W. Independence, Topeka. A Fort Riley U.S. Army Detail will conduct military honors at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW Sixth Ave., Topeka. The family will receive friends at the funeral chapel one hour prior to memorial services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital Travel Fund in care of Arab Shriners, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612-1332.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.