Bruce E. Penstone | 71 | Pittsfield

Bruce E. Penstone, age 71, of Pittsfield, IL passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield. He was born on June 19, 1951, in Pittsfield, IL to Frank Edward and Katherine McIntire Penstone, Jr. He married Jacqueline Denise Wombles on June 19, 2004, at the Pittsfield United Methodist Church, and she survives.
Bruce graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1969 where he was a member of the undefeated Saukee football team during the ‘streak.’ He went on to attend Illinois College graduating in 1974 receiving his bachelor’s degree in Education. In 2006 he was inducted into Illinois College Hall of Fame for football and track, still holding the record for the javelin throw. Bruce went on to teach 6th grade at Triopia and coached football. He later moved to Louisiana where he began working in the oil fields and traveled to Abu Dhabi and Kuwait working as an oil field engineer from 1986 until his retirement in 2016. Bruce was a member of the Pittsfield United Methodist Church and the Old Orchard Country Club. He was an above average golfer and participated in every OOCC tournament he was able to. He enjoyed duck and dove hunting and playing bridge with Mark and Sherry Richards several times a week. He was a huge football fan and very dedicated to the Bears. Bruce had a short temper but made up for it with his big heart. He was very loving and a people person. He loved to visit and always made his daily rounds with his beloved dog, Maggie. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Jacque Penstone; stepdaughter, Kylee (Peter DeSanto) Wasson of Ontario, Canada; two grandchildren, Luca and Oliver DeSanto; aunts, Karen (Jim) Brown, Joanne McIntire and Marge Gamble; brother-in-law, Kevin (Terri) Wombles; special cousins, Lisa (Tim) Leahy, Julie (Dave) Myers, Chad (Sondra) Brown, Kevin (Peggy) Brown along with numerous other cousins; and his cocker spaniel, Maggie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with interment to follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Pittsfield. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials are suggested to be made to the Saukee Football Parent Fund. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.