The Celebration of the Life of Lindsay Dawn Pennell

Lindsay Dawn Pennell made her long, awaited arrival into this world on Monday, November 19th, 1990 at 8:46 p.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, forever changing the lives of her blessed parents, Stanley and Nancy Pennell. She was born just a few short hours short of her Daddy’s birthday, being the best birthday present he would ever receive.
She received her ultimate healing on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 at 11:18 p.m. at her home on Rock Creek, surrounded by the love of her family and friends, claiming her VICTORY over this life’s trials and tribulations, being at the time of her Heaven-bound departure, 32 years, 5 months, and 20 days old.
For someone who was an only child, with Lindsay’s large family of cousins and life-long friends, she had more siblings by heart than most. Ryan, Natalie, Jeremy, Justin, Megan, Brandon, Stephan, Melissa, and Jason were constant companions! Robert and Lindsay have so many shared interests, that it was often said, they were male/female version of the same person!
Lindsay grew up in church, first attending Rock Creek Church, where her Dad pastored, not missing a Sunday until she was seven years old. As her Dad became Home Mission Minister, this lead the family to Bethany General Baptist Church, where her Dad still pastors today. Lindsay was saved and baptized at a very young age by her Dad at Mt. Zion Church; showing great inspiration and understanding of God’s word through her art and poetry.
Lindsay’s school career began at Hardin County Pre-K -12 School in 1995, graduating in the Class of 2009 as Salutatorian of her class. She then attended Southeastern Illinois College, where she received her Associate’s Degree. Then she got to experience life at the University of Illinois, where she studied Aerospace Engineering. She returned to Southern Illinois to go to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and got her Bachelor’s Degree in Math. As she began her Master’s Degree, she worked at the college as a TA.
Lindsay loved tutoring and she taught a few math classes at SIC. She loved it when she could see that she helped a student understand and learn something new! You could see her eyes light up, when she said she could tell “They got it”!!
In between school, she worked as a waitress from the age of 16. A couple of places she worked that were dear to her heart were Ms. Lizzy’s and the State Park Restaurant. She also worked at Banterra Bank Corporate office in Eldorado until leaving to go back in pursuit of her Master’s Degree.
Lindsay was one with many interests….She loved to read and was very seldom seen without a book with her and practically having what Mom called, a “Beauty and the Beast” type library in her own living room, with a DVD Collection to match. Lindsay was extremely organized about two things, her library and her notes for school.
Lindsay loved to shop and it was a blessed day when Lindsay and Mom got to spend the day shopping together!!
Another love of Lindsay’s was deer hunting. Holiday celebration at the Pennell house, began each year with the “Night Before Deer Season”, which was getting ready for the first day of deer season the next day and celebrating the November birthdays! Lindsay and her Dad’s birthday always fell each year right about deer season, plus with Jeremy and Desirrae’s right around close; a lot of cake was had!! Lindsay and her Dad loved their hunting time together. Which usually included Lindsay getting a bigger deer than Dad and their annual selfie.
Lindsay love her dogs. Lassie, Sparky, and Rocky were her shelties and she loved them very much. Demon, her husky, (you all have seen pictures of him) brought joy to her life for eleven years.
She excelled at everything she did. She loved to draw and was a very creative writer, winning awards for both in school.
Anyone who knows Lindsay knows she was an AVID Star Wars fan, as well as Spiderman, all things Marvel, Guardian of the Galaxy, and throw in a little Gilmore Girls, which she knew by heart.
Several years ago, Lindsay and her “Band of Wayward Nerds” (Ryan, Misty, Natalie, and Adrian) started participating in GISH, a charitable event. GISH – Greatest International Scavenger Hunt – was a fun filled, yet very driven week of doing all sorts of unusual tasks. This was right up Lindsay’s alley, because it challenged her creative side. Usually, Lindsay would put a fun warning on Facebook that it was GISH week and to be aware of possible unusual sightings and many times the community got involved on some the projects!
Lindsay was no stranger to hard knocks in this life; all of which helped to prepare and shape her for the biggest battle of her life. Lindsay loved super heros, but little did she know that while she was on the battlefield, she, herself, was viewed as a superhero to many! Her never ending faith and positive outlook, never complaining, no matter the news she received, is something we all should strive to live up to! Along this journey, Lindsay showed such grace, faith, and strength, no matter the pain, no matter the diagnosis, she remained so positive with a “It’s going to be alright!” attitude. On the 0 to 10 pain scale, Lindsay never used the number 10; no matter how bad she hurt, because she said it could be worse.
Although the healing didn’t come in the way that we all wanted, HEALING came!!
Lindsay has fought a good fight, she has finished her course, she kept the faith!
Today, Lindsay is walking and talking with Jesus, her Gaggy, and meeting Grandpa Jarg and even her older brother or sister that Mom and Dad haven’t got to meet yet!
She and Pappy are walking side by side and can travel at any speed they want. Granny and Pa are hugging on her again!! What a beautiful reunion!
Those who were waiting for Lindsay in heaven: her Pappy, Deneen Griffith; her Gaggy, Veldene Jerrels; Grandpa Jarg Pennell; Grandpa Edson Jerrels; Uncle Larry Pennell; Uncle Terry Pennell; Aunt Debra Jerrels; Granny and Pa Lindsay, and many other loved ones!
Those left behind to carry on Lindsay’s legacy are: her parents, Stan and Nancy Pennell; her Mammy, Emma Griffith; her Aunts and Uncles, Mary and Mike Miles, Dennis and Pam Griffith, Danny and Desirrae Griffith; Sarah and Roger Little, Harold Griffith, Janice Pennell, Glenda Pennell, Joe and Sandi Jerrels, Bob Jerrels, Bill and Elaine Jerrels, and Ramona and John Douglas; a host of cousins which she loved very much; some of the best friends anyone could ask for; her bonus sister, Brittany; and her big brother, Samuel Hubbs.
Lindsay was beyond blessed with a large family and many friends; and a church and community family that held us up in prayer constantly. She loved you all!!
She is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Sweet Pea, we can’t bring you back, but we can come to you! Love you forever and always; until we meet again!
Services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Hardin County Funeral Service in Rosiclare, IL with interment in Adams Cemetery. The family received visitors from 10:00 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Linsday’s parents officiated the service.

To view the live webcast visit http://www.gilbertfunerals.com/…/per…/11011371/LTWebcast .

To buy flowers and gifts locally, visit www.RosiclareFlowerBasket.net .