David Anthony Penza, 19, passed away at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona on Sunday, September 7, 2008 following a courageous five-year battle with cancer. David was born in Racine on March 4th, 1989, son of Frank Leahy Penza and Cheryl Kay Penza. David graduated from 8th grade at Union Grove Christian School and then from 12th grade at Washington Park High School in 2007. David was a Racine resident his entire life. David had a passion to serve at his church, First Evangelical Free Church in Racine; he served as a leader in the Awana ministry as well as assisting with his H.S. Youth Group. He took part in many missions’ trips, one of them to Jamaica. Dave loved sports and started his sports career in RYS (Racine Youth Sports) playing football and baseball. He also participated in basketball while attending UGCS and was on the golf team at Park High School (Dave loved golf)! His greatest passion was to glorify God in all he did throughout his life. He enjoyed reading the word of God (the Bible) and his favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. He was not ashamed to give God the glory when he shared his faith with others. Dave had many opportunities to speak for different groups including the American Cancer Society Relay for life, Fullness of Life Foundation as well as the Milwaukee Brewers chapel service. He has shared the platform with people such as Ron Heagy, a motivational speaker, as well as Sherry Lund, an advocate for integrative medicine. David was an incredibly unique person with a spirit of humility, faith and love for others. David is survived by his parents Frank and Cheryl Penza; siblings, Michael Penza, Kristin Bodnar (Penza), Daniel Penza, Kimberly Penza, Faith Penza; and grandparents, Kenneth and Delores Liesner, as well as many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. Funeral Services will be held at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Ave., on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm. A luncheon, to continue celebrating David’s life, will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be at Calvary Memorial Church this Saturday from 11 am – 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Penza family or to the Dave Penza Fund at Educators Credit Union P.O. Box 081040 Racine, Wisconsin 53408. The last 5 years of David’s life were spent battling cancer, first in his knee, and then in his lungs. We would like to thank the people at: Fullness of Life Foundation and Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona; Koos for Kids in Racine; and our Church Family at 1st Evangelical Free Church, as well as many relatives and friends who have supported and prayed for David throughout his life. David’s family is thankful he is now with the Lord Jesus…to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!
Harley Cammers says
Frank we met on the job at St. Luke’s hospital sometime either late 1999 or early 2000. Your heart moved you to donate a TV to me when I was really lacking for on. I lived at 826 Main Street at the time. Well I’m on break at the job (yep same place where you found me eight years ago) and I just want to let you know that my heart grieves with you. I’m very saddened by your loss of a family member (and oh so young). If it weren’t for the hope we have in Jesus our spirits would be crushed, but all thanks to God we look forward to the day when we too can be freed from our sinful bodies at last. There is a really nice Bible Passage website called “Biblegateway.com”. I think you may be aware of it. There’s a powerful scripture as rendered by “The Message” at 1 Corinthians 15:30-33. Please go online when you have a spare moment and check it out. That scripture can really strengthen our faith. I’m going to contribute generously to the memorial fund and my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of mourning.
Harley
Eugene R. Cudnohufsky says
I never met David, personally, but learned of him through his grandmother, Delores Leisner, my first cousin. DAVID was indeed a unique young man, a fighter who possessed deep religious faith that certainly helped him battle his cancer.
My condolences to David’s immediate and extended families. His absence will be missed by all who had taken a personal interest in his battle with cancer through prayers, fund raisers, etc..
David is now “SAFELY HOME”
“I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus’ love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth–
You shall rest in Jesus’ land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!”
(author unknown), from the Sacred Heart Monastery, Hales Corners, WI.
Mr. & Mrs Kris Hoegsted says
Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your son David. David touched our lives and many others.
Kirt and Laurie Schmidt says
Cheri & Frank, and family
Sometime we would love to sit down and hear “Dave’s story” in more detail. We were so touched by all the sharing, especially Mike. Casey has shared of Mike’s faith at St. Pt. We really appreciated what he shared. He was like the blind man, in that God was glorified through him. If you’re ever in the area, give us a call.
Kirt and Laurie Schmidt 608 297-7780
JoAnne Schnepp says
I did not know David, except through his mother, sister and grandmother and through the website about him. But I can tell that he was an amazing young man and well loved by all his family. He fought a courageous battle….and now we anticipate he is with Jesus and rejoicing to be free of his illness, pain and trials. I sorely feel for all the family members left behind because I lost my brother the same way in 1985. His cancer caused him to find Jesus and salvation and that’s the good that came from it. David will continue to inspire people on into the future even though he is no longer physically with you. His spirit can be called upon and his memories never taken away. I am so glad he got to attend Kirstin’s wedding too.
JoAnne