Kevin Lynn Penner, 57, of Harrisonburg, Va., died unexpectedly Feb. 17, 2025, in his home, following a decade of struggle with mental health. He was born March 8, 1967, to Alvin and Susanne Penner in Newton, Kan.
Kevin graduated from Newton High School in 1985 and Bethel College in 1989. He facilitated gatherings of his friends from college, high school and even grade school. He enjoyed traveling, including in Europe, Russia and Turkey.
He lived in Sacramento, Calif., Austin, Texas, and Indianapolis, Ind., before settling in Goshen, Ind., for 26 years. On April 29, 2000, he married Marlene Martin at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Mich. He worked for Everence Financial in Goshen for almost 25 years as a computer programmer. He and Marlene divorced in 2024, and Kevin moved to Harrisonburg in 2025.
Kevin found joy in entertaining in his home and in adding on to his house in a way that facilitated gatherings. Many people enjoyed playing poker and watching sporting events with him. He loved supporting his children and their activities. He enjoyed birding, pickleball, racquetball, softball and disc golf. With a heart for service, he used his talents to volunteer at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, Lexington House in Elkhart, Mennonite Disaster Service and Habitat for Humanity Restore in Harrisonburg.
He is survived by his son and daughter, Canyon and Sienna Penner; his wife of 24 years, Marlene Martin Penner; his parents, Alvin and Sue Penner; brother Keith (Sharon) Penner and sister Connie (Jerl) Banning.
Services are at 11 a.m. March 29 at Belmont Mennonite Church, streaming at belmontmc.org. Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Harrisonburg (centralvalleyhabitat.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/36387) or the Belmont Mennonite Church Love Fund.
