Sherry A. Penwell, 66, of Celeryville and lifelong Willard-area resident, died early Monday morning, Aug. 8, 2016 at The Willows at Willard after a strong fight with cancer.
Sherry was born July 7, 1950, in Elyria, Ohio, the daughter of the late L. Galen and Janice J. (Atyeo) Penwell. She graduated from Willard High School in 1968.
Immediately following, she began a career at Shelby Mutual Insurance, a job that Sherry often reminisced about and truly loved. While at Shelby Mutual, Sherry moved through several different departments as an Administrative Assistant and Executive Secretary.
It was there that she made many wonderful memories and many friends, some of whom she continued to have dinner with once a month. Following the closing of Shelby Mutual, Sherry began working at the Huron County Treasurer’s office from where she retired in 2014.
Sherry had several hobbies. She was a voracious reader, keeping a list of how many books she read throughout a year, and fondly would brag about how many she had read. She enjoyed quilting and crocheting, making blankets and quilts for her family, and also enjoyed putting together puzzles.
Sherry, above all of her other hobbies, loved to bake and shared what she baked, especially when she found a new recipe she liked. Celebrating holidays and birthdays were high on Sherry’s priority list. She never missed a family member’s birthday treat, no matter what the age, and always took her niece and nephews to dinner for each of their birthdays, never missing one.
Although she hosted Easter at her home each year and got great joy in hiding Easter eggs and gifts for her family to hunt, her favorite holiday and time of the year was Christmas. From gift giving and receiving to cookie and candy making, the Christmas season filled her with much joy.
Sherry was a woman of great faith and was an active member of New Haven United Methodist Church. She was the church treasurer for many years and had been the secretary of the Livewire Sunday school class. She was always more than prepared for any meal the church prepared for, often bringing several pies, salads and side dishes. Above all else, her love for our God was great.
To Sherry, her family was very important and she always showed them love in her own way. Surviving are: three brothers and sisters-in-law: Jeff Penwell, of Willard, Jon and Marty Penwell, of Shelby, and Jim and Connie Penwell, of Norwalk; two nephews and a niece: Colton and Maddie Penwell, of Shelby, Jake Penwell, of Shelby, and Melany Penwell, of Willard; an aunt: Kathleen Buurma, of Celeryville; and a host of cousins and other relatives.
Sherry is also survived by many faithful friends who treated her with so much love and took excellent care of her when she needed them the most. Sherry loved to reminisce about times past especially with her mom and grandma. Her reunion in heaven with her parents and grandparents is certain to be joyous.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Visitors are also welcome on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 from 10 to 11 a.m. at New Haven United Methodist Church, 2644 Prairie Street, New Haven, Ohio, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Pastor Bob James, her pastor, will officiate and burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in New Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
To share a memory or express a condolence, visit www.turnerfuneralhomeshelby.com.
