Carl Pensel

Carl R. Pensel, 80, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at the Monticello House in Jackson.

He was born May 6, 1932, near Fruitland to Louis R. and Edna C. Kasten Pensel. He and Dorothy Schwab were married Nov. 17, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Carl was a 1950 graduate of Jackson High School. Having been raised on the family farm, he was particularly active in the FFA program.

He honorably served in the U.S. Navy from Feb. 20, 1952, to January 23, 1956, and thereafter he worked for 40 years at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company before retiring in 1996. After retirement, he loved to return daily to the family farm (a Century Farm) and help his late brother, Harold, tend to the cattle and farm chores.

Carl was baptized and confirmed at St. John's United Church of Christ in Fruitland, but was a faithful, longtime member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson. He previously served on the church council and various other church committees.

His other affiliations included Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson and the Telephone Pioneers.

Loving survivors include his wife of 55 years, Dorothy of Jackson; three children, Duane (Terry) Pensel of Jackson, Julie Woodruff of Des Peres, Mo., and Nancy (Jim) Meier of Steeleville, Ill.; four grandchildren, Ryan and Morgan Pensel and Daniel Meier and Jana Woodruff; three siblings, Raymond (Mary Ann) Pensel of Cape Girardeau, Gerald (Mary Sue) Pensel of Crestwood, Mo., and Mary Catherine (Bob) Feemster of Jackson.

Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Donna (the late Harold) Pensel and Laverne (the late Leon) Schwab, both of Jackson; and a brother-in-law, Jerry (Phyllis) Schwab of Cape Girardeau.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Pensel, on Sept. 17, 2006.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with full military honors.

For memorial contributions, please consider Emanuel United Church of Christ Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.