Charles “Berlin” Pennington

Charles “Berlin” Pennington of Cape Girardeau, formerly Vulcan, Missouri, passed from this earthly life into the presence of his God on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at the age of 90.

Charles was born November 30, 1931, near Annapolis, Missouri to Acie Charles and Lena Bell (nee Joines) Pennington. He and Dorothy J. Smith were married on July 15, 1951, at the Annapolis Presbyterian Church. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Sandra and Linda. They were married for 22 years when Dorothy passed away on October 27, 1973.

Charles was then united in marriage to Bernice Rickard on June 5, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri. She brought her three children into the family; Kelly, Laura, and Julie.

Charles attended school at Vulcan, Missouri, and South Iron in Annapolis, Missouri. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, during the Korean Conflict. Just by pure luck he and his brother, Hank, were stationed there together. Charles was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

For the majority of his working career, Charles was a baker for the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) in St. Louis. He retired after 36 years and returned to Vulcan, Missouri to be a “gentleman farmer”. This was his home and a place he dearly loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, sisters: Eunice Marie Pennington, Lillian “Maxine” Collier, Carma “Eileen” Rothweiler, Inez and Bernice Pierson, and one brother, Henry “Harold” Pennington.

Loving survivors include his wife of 46 years, Bernice; one brother, Aurlin Pennington of Vulcan, Missouri, children: Sandy Elfrink (Owen) of Cape Girardeau, Linda Lackey (Robert Duggan) of Kirkwood, Missouri, Kelly Mayernik (Billie) of Woodriver, Illinois, Laura Sullivan of Godfrey, Illinois, and Julie Griggs (Vince) of Hardin, Missouri, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, brother-in-law, and sisters-in-law. All will miss this loving and gentle man.

Services will be Monday, August 29, 2022, at Bryson Funeral Chapel in Pilot Knob, Missouri, with burial in Annapolis, Missouri. The service will be officiated by his nephew, Rev. Gerald Collier of Jackson, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider a donation in his name to VNA Hospice, P.O. Box 768, Kennett, Missouri.