Wayne Oliver Pennington, Sr., 91

Wayne Oliver Pennington, Sr., 91, of Kingston, Idaho, passed away Aug. 18, 2025, at Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho. Wayne was born Dec. 25, 1933, in American Falls, Idaho, a son of David and Roxie (McNurlen) Pennington.

The family later moved to the Silver Valley, where Wayne graduated from Kingston High School, Class of 1953. Right after graduation, Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served during the Korean Conflict. Wayne was honorably discharged in 1957.

Wayne worked numerous jobs throughout the valley, including logging, driving trucks, working as a heavy equipment operator for the Bunker Hill Company, and many other jobs. He finally retired at the age of 72 as a millwright with Poly-Sorb. He truly was a “Jack of all trades.” Wayne was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He loved to hike into the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana and often commented that his much younger sons-in-law couldn’t keep up with him. He enjoyed his early retirement years camping on the North Fork with his companion, Pearl Wilson. He truly enjoyed spending time with their combined children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many, many friends. He was an avid game player and enjoyed playing pinochle, cribbage, marbles, dominoes and most games with family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by a son, Wayne Pennington, Jr.; a daughter, Penny Hetzel; a grandson, Gabriel Gravel; a great-grandson, Austin North; a granddaughter, Anna Hetzel; one brother and three sisters.

Wayne is survived by his seven children, Pam (Darrell) Sims of Post Falls, Idaho, Terry Pennington of Smelterville, Idaho, Cheryl Shelley of Kellogg, Idaho, Susan (Ken) Zeitz of Pinehurst, Idaho, Tammie Moore of St. Maries, Idaho, Margie Kern of Kootenai, Idaho, and Patti Kromer of Kellogg, Idaho; 23 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Carroll of Noxon, Mont.; all of the Wilson children, Rocky Wilson, Diane Oertli, Judy Bidel, Edie Wilson, Candy O’Neil, Jerry Sciuchetti, Jodi Hageman, Jacquelyn Wilson and Gwendolyn Wilson. Wayne is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Silver Valley Worship Center in Smelterville, followed by a potluck gathering at the West Shoshone County Park in Pinehurst.

Memories of Wayne and messages of condolence may be shared online with his family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.