June 23, 1956 – March 8, 2026
William “Bill” Roger Penner, 69, passed away on March 8, 2026, at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.
He was born in East Chicago, Indiana, on June 23, 1956, to Keith and Edna Fetherston Penner. On July 9, 1977, he married Linda Heckman at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, and she survives. Bill was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a 1974 graduate of Seymour High School, where he played basketball and ran track. Following graduation, he continued his love of basketball while attending Franklin College. Bill worked at Ben Franklin for several years and later retired from Dickson’s Gifts. He was also well known in the Seymour community as the owner of the On Deck Circle baseball card shop in downtown Seymour.
Bill enjoyed travelling with Linda, watching sports, scrapbooking, and researching genealogy. He was an avid Purdue Boilermakers fan and rarely missed a game. He was a devoted father and grandfather whose greatest joy was supporting his family. Rarely missing a game or event, he could almost always be found in the stands cheering enthusiastically, offering encouragement, and celebrating every moment. To him, these were more than games, they were memories in the making. After each one, he carefully recorded the highlights, small moments, and proud reflections in his journal, creating a treasured record of the experiences he shared with his children and grandchildren.
Those left to cherish Bill’s memory include his wife, Linda Penner; children, Curtis Penner and Jennifer (Grant) Schrader; grandchildren, Grace Schrader and Madison Schrader; parents, Keith and Edna Penner; brother, Brian (Jeanne) Penner; sisters, Karen (Buck) Penner-Rogers and Susan (Randy) Penner-Shipley; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his in-laws Charlie and Ruth Heckman.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 605 S. Walnut St., Seymour, IN 47274, with Rev. Dr. Ralph Blomenberg, Rev. William Fredstrom, and Vicar Max Johnston officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, 1603 Shields Ave., Seymour, IN 47274. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Know Your Bible, Immanuel Lutheran Church, or Immanuel Lutheran School.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Scotty Wessel and Jon Pace at Burkholder Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes in Seymour.
Memories and condolences may be shared and flowers ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.
