Daniel Ralph Penick

Daniel “Dan” Ralph Penick, 68, passed away November 16, 2023. He had spent several months battling lymphoma and died due to laughing at one of his many puns. Dan was born in Dayton, Ohio, on March 3, 1955, the third of six children. He was an avid runner and played clarinet in the school band. It was in middle school that he met the “gang,” all of whom are still close to this day. After graduating from Greenon High School in Enon, Ohio, in 1973, he studied for one semester at the University of Missouri-Rolla. He then joined the Air Force in 1974 where he met Lynn Vistica in a chow hall at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. He must have really liked her because they got married a few months later and were together for his remaining 48 years. They applied for joint assignment and left for Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. After being there for 2 1/2 years, they returned to the United States where Dan finished his enlistment at George Air Force Base in Adelanto, California. They joined the Air National Guard at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, where he spent the remainder of his military career. Dan attained the rank of Master Sergeant and retired in 2007. In 2006 he served a tour of duty in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was there that his daily exposure to the burn pit led to his developing lymphoma. Despite this, he was always selflessly proud of his service, his country, and his Air National Guardsmen. Oh, and proud of his children, don’t forget those 3 hooligans! He had a lifelong love of trains, planes, cars, trains, motorcycles, and trains. He was actively involved in hobby train clubs and shows. He enjoyed finding and restoring older Honda motorcycles and even won awards for some of his bikes. Among his many other interests that brought out his joyful smile and silliness were finding bargains at yard sales; watching Star Trek, Star Wars, and classic TV shows; making interminably long sightseeing road trips to visit family; and wielding his punny sense of humor to make the people he loved laugh. He especially loved being a Papa and making faces at and silly nicknames for his five grandchildren.Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Mattie Penick; and brother, John Penick. He is survived by his wife, Lynn; children, Bobbie (Nate) Graham, Scott (Alyssa) Penick, and Theresa Penick; five grandchildren; four siblings; and a plethora of vehicles.A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 11:30 AM-4:00 PM. Please join us at the VFW in Haysville (7507 S Broadway) for lunch and a eulogy beginning at noon, followed by anecdotes and stories of Dan! Doors open at 11:30, lunch served at noon, and a eulogy around 1:00. Lunch and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. The facility has a bar attached if you would like to raise a glass (or 3) to Dan as well. If you would like to bring something, Dan loved sweets, so any type of dessert would be welcome!Viewing will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Rosary will be at 7:00 pm, Monday, November 27, 2023, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church followed by interment at 1:00 pm at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, Winfield, KS with military honors.In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations that will go toward the Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust, an engine construction project Dan was passionate about. To reach the threshold for having Dan's name inscribed on the locomotive, the contributions must be given by the Penick family to the Trust as one lump sum. Donations toward this goal can be sent to the following:Paypal: @n8graham https://paypal.me/n8grahamVenmo: https://venmo.com/u/Nathan-Graham-81Or mail to:Bobbie Penick2001 S ErieWichita, KS 67211 Thank you for remembering Dan in such a special way that his name can be immortalized as a part of the rail line that he loved the most.