Ronnie Ray Penn, US Navy Retired, passed away peacefully in Las Vegas, NV on September 28, 2008 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 18, 1941 in Sturgis, Michigan.



Ronnie is survived by his wife Carol (Snow) Penn, Las Vegas, NV; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Vickie Penn, Arlington, TN; son Monte Snow, Las Vegas, NV and Monte's fiancé Valerie McClain, Centreville, MI; grandchildren Morgan, Krysti and Michael Patrick Penn, Arlington, TN, and Mallory (Snow) Bunte and Alexis Snow, Las Vegas, NV; great grandchildren Trey, Tristan & Hollis Penn, Arlington, TN; brother and sister-in-law Gary & Frances Penn, Sturgis, MI; sisters Joy Stukey, Franklin, IN and Hope Keeslar, Sturgis, MI; sister-in-law Mary Ellen Carpenter, GA; sister-in-law Barbara (Jerre) Hassell, Little Rock, Arkansas; 16 nieces, 8 nephews and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his former wife Mary Jean (Dabney) Penn; son, Patrick Penn; brother, Gaylord Penn; father and mother Charles Hubert and Pauline (Swoveland) Penn.



During his Navy career Ronnie served aboard numerous carriers. The highlight of his career was to serve as maintenance chief of the Blue Angel Squadron and he was a recipient of the Blue Angel of the year award. Following retirement, he was the owner of R & J Painting & Wallpapering in Gulf Breeze, Florida.



Ronnie was a member of the Foothills Southern Baptist Church in Las Vegas; a former member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL; St. Paul Methodist Church in Gulf Breeze, FL and the Howe Methodist Church, Howe, Indiana.



Visitation will be at the Eley Funeral Home in Centreville, Michigan beginning at 5 PM on Saturday, October 11th, with the memorial service immediately following at 7 PM. Memorials may be given to the Nevada Cancer Institute, Las Vegas, NV or Foothills Southern Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV.