Norman R. Penfield

Norman Penfield of St. Louis, Mo., and son of Buster and Reba Penfield of Lance Creek passed away May 4, 1990 after a long illness.

Lusk Herald
May 16, 1990
Norman R. Penfield

Private funeral services were held May 9, 1990 at the White Mullen Mortuary in Ferguson, Mo., for Norman R. Penfield who died May 4, 1990 in the Jefferson Barracks Veterans Hospital following a long illness.

Penfield was born Nov. 5, 1931 at Broadwater, Neb., the son of Luther A. and Reba Sparks Penfield. He was reared and educated in Niobrara County, graduating from Lusk High School in 1950. He was active in sports, an excellent football and basketball player. He was in the 4-H program, the Lance Creek Community Church, and the American Union Sunday School.

He joined the Marine Corp. following graduation. After his discharge he returned to the Lance Creek area, where he worked on the Jiggs Thompson ranch. On Dec. 31, 1953, he married Elsie Popkay.

In the 1960s he was hired by Bausch and Lomb Optical Company as a salesman and technician for equipment. He worked for several optical companies traveling throughout the Midwestern states. He continued in this line of work until his hospitalization in November 1989.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie of Ferguson; a son, Norval, of St. Louis; a daughter, Juanita of Ferguson; his parents, Luther (Buster) and Reba Penfield of Lance Creek; parents-in-law, Harry and Ethel Popkay of Wentzville, Mo.; four grandchildren, Joshua, Nicole, Kenny Paul and Jamie; three brothers, Luther of Las Vegas, Nev.; John, of Torrington; and Orval of Las Vegas. He is also survived by three sisters, Geneva Burke of Lusk; Burnice Bolinger of Kingman, Ariz.; and Twila Berry, Las Vegas; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Burial was at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers were Norval Penfield, Kenny Miracle, Gary Davis, John Wells, Charles Whitener and James Stephens.

A public memorial service was held Thursday, May 10 at the Mt. Auburn-Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Myrtle A. Schroeder officiating.

Memorials to the St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D. would be appreciated by the family.