Mettie J. Penzel, 100, of Jackson passed away Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.
She was born May 18, 1907, in Cape Girardeau County, daughter of Marion N. and Minnie Mae Hahn Killian. She and Carl L. Penzel were married April 19, 1931. He passed away July 4, 2000.
In 1927, Mettie graduated from Jackson High School and was nominated for Silver Arrow Homecoming Queen. Sometime after graduation, she attended the former Normal School in Cape Girardeau where she obtained her teaching certificate. She then started teaching at the McFerron School for sometime. Mettie was the first woman to run for the Jackson City Council; was active member of Jackson Garden Club; and she helped to start the Men's Garden Club in Jackson. She was sports minded and was an avid bowler for many years. She worked as a bookkeeper for their family owned business, Penzel Construction for many years. Together, Carl and Mettie, were well known for their establishment of Pinecrest Azalea Gardens. This garden is located between Millersville and Oak Ridge. With Carl and Mettie's work and dedication together, Pinecrest Azalea Gardens was acclaimed by the Indiana Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society as being the largest in the Midwest and won the 2007 Governor's Spot Light Award. In 1999, Carl and she moved to the Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau. She was known at the Chateau Girardeau for her sense of humor and her snow-white hair. Mettie was a member of the Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.
Loving survivors include her twins, son Carl Gene (Linda) Penzel; Carol Jane (Ray) Penzel Hebenstreit of St. Louis, Mo; a sister, Doshie (Charles) Holmes of West Plains, Mo; and a brother, Hubert (Modean) Killian of Wentzville, Mo.
Also surviving are three grandchildren, Philip (Sandy) Penzel of Jackson; Chris (Chastity) Penzel of Cape Girardeau; and Melody Ellington of St. Louis, Mo; five great-grandchildren, Ashley Basham of St. Louis, Mo; Andrea and Allison Penzel of Jackson; Conner and Courtney Penzel of Cape Girardeau, Mo; and one great great-grandson Hunter Basham.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, twin brother and sister, Annie and Willie; sisters, Gracie Abernathy, Polly Emmons; brothers, Paul, Niel, Carl, Nathanial, Floyd Killian; and a granddaughter, Vickie Greifzu.
Pallbears will be Penzel Construction Company employees: Paul Koeper, Howard Hemmann, DeWayne Mabry, David Mirgeaux, Rob Moore, and Dave Conrad.
Honorary Pallbears are: Gerald Hitt, Calvin Sailer, Cecil McGuire, Gus Coomer, Melvin Hoffman, Mick Gosche, Kenny Borgfield, and Dick Wood. All are retired Penzel Construction employees.
Friends may call Monday, April 21, 2008 from 4:30 – 8 pm at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at 10:30 am, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating.
Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contribution to Emanuel United Church of Christ, 304 E. Adams St., Jackson, Missouri 63755.
McCombs Funeral Home