Raymond Dow Penningroth

Raymond Dow Penningroth, 83, died Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 1, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Fry Funeral Home, in Tipton, and one hour before the next day's church service. Funeral mass will be on Monday, May 2, 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tipton. Graveside service and burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Tipton. Memorials in Raymond's honor may be directed to Cedar County Volunteer Services, St. Mary's Catholic Church, or Cedar Manor Expansion Fund. Born in Cedar Rapids on October 7, 1932, the son of Benjamin and Jessie (Safley) Penningroth, Raymond was a lifelong resident of Tipton. He graduated from Tipton High School. He served two years in the United States Army and was stationed in France. Shortly after his return, he met the love of his life, Rosemary White, and they were married on June 9, 1956 at St. Mathias Catholic Church in Muscatine. Raymond's passion for the land was evident throughout his life. In early adulthood, he worked with his father on the family farm. Eventually his father, brother, and he formed Penningroth Farms and raised a variety of crops and livestock. After retirement, he enjoyed helping a neighbor with the annual planting and harvesting. Over the years, Raymond served his beloved community in various ways. He served on the Cedar-Johnson Farm Service Company Board for more than 30 years. He also served on the Cedar County Board of Adjustment, belonged to the Knights of Columbus, and Cedar County Farm Bureau. Additionally, he drove many miles for Cedar County Volunteer Services. Raymond's pastimes included taking regular drives in the country to check on crop progress, making the rounds to local restaurants for coffee and fellowship, and traveling. An avid sports fan, he diligently followed the Iowa Hawkeyes, Tipton Tigers, grandchildren's activities, and family events. In addition, he played more than a few hands of cards with the same bridge group for decades. Throughout the years, Raymond was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tipton. Raymond is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rosemary (White) Penningroth; a daughter, Ann (Pat) Goodman of Muscatine; four sons, Mark (Becky) Penningroth, of Tipton, Kent (Camille) Penningroth of Nipomo, California, Tom (Diane) Penningroth of Urbandale, Mike (Nicole) Penningroth of Urbandale; two sisters, Marjorie Stonerook and Carolyn (Arn) Schaper; one brother, Darrel (Janet) Penningroth; fifteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin; his parents; a sister, Darlene Demaree; a sister-in-law, Janice Penningroth; two brothers-in-law, Ellis (Sonny) Stonerook; Danny Demaree; and a sister-in-law, Ruby Babcock.