David Joseph Penkala

Mr. David Joseph Penkala, of Bay City, passed away Saturday evening, May 3, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his family, age 73.  The son of the late Joseph & June (Cole) Penkala, he was born June 18, 1940 in Bay City.  David served in the U.S. Army Reserves.  He retired from Prestolite Corp. in 1984.  David played the accordion in polka bands with John Lipinski and Tommy Reder.  He loved birds, was an avid fisherman and enjoyed playing chess, metal detecting and working with electronics.
On May 6, 1972 David married the former Marilyn M. Snedeker and she survives him along with four children, Sarah (Andrew) Voros of Leamington, Ontario, Melissa (John) Propeck of Houston, Texas, Sandra (Robert) Cline of Saginaw Twp. and Rebecca (Leonard) Koop of Waterford; 11 grandchildren, Matthew (Rachel) Jacobs, Mark Jacobs, Patrick (Erika) Cline, Benjamin Vorwerck, Stephanie Koop, Daniel Vorwerck, Sean Cline, Fale`sha Koop, Ty Williams-Shepler, Lonnie Koop and Tricia Koop; a great-granddaughter, Victoria Cline; two brothers, Dan (Judy) Penkala and Raymond (Mary) Penkala; three sisters, Louise Wakefield, Patience (Robert) Griffin and June (Paul) Coonan; a brother-in-law, Jack (Cathy) Snedeker; and several nieces & nephews.  Besides his parents, David was also preceded in death by a nephew, Jeff Penkala.
The Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  The Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Robert S. Gohm.  Mr. Penkala will lie instate at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  There will be no visitation at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Heartland Hospice. www.gephartfuneralhome.com