David was born in Racine on March 4, 1989, son of Frank Leahy Penza and Cheryl Kay Penza. David graduated from 8th grade at Union Grove Christian School and then from 12th grade at Washington Park High School in 2007. David was a Racine resident his entire life. David had a passion to serve at his church, First Evangelical Free Church in Racine; he served as a leader in the Awana ministry as well as assisting with his H.S. Youth Group. He took part in many missions' trips, one of them to Jamaica. Dave loved sports and started his sports career in RYS (Racine Youth Sports) playing football and baseball. He also participated in basketball while attending UGCS and was on the golf team at Park High School. (Dave loved golf!)
His greatest passion was to glorify God in all he did throughout his life. He enjoyed reading the word of God (the Bible) and his favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. He was not ashamed to give God the glory when he shared his faith with others. Dave had many opportunities to speak for different groups including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Fullness of Life Foundation as well as the Milwaukee Brewers chapel service. He has shared the platform with people such as Ron Haggie, a motivational speaker, as well as Sherry Lund, an advocate for integrative medicine. David was an incredibly unique person with a spirit of humility, faith and love for others.
David is survived by his parents Frank and Cheryl Penza; siblings, Michael Penza, Kristin Bodnar (Penza), Daniel Penza, Kimberly Penza, Faith Penza; and grandparents, Kenneth and Delores Liesner, as well as many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name.
Funeral Services will be held at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Ave., on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at 2 p.m. A luncheon, to continue celebrating David’s life, will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be at Calvary Memorial Church this Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Penza family or to the Dave Penza Fund at Educators Credit Union, P.O. Box 081040, Racine, Wisconsin 53408.
The last 5 years of David's life were spent battling cancer, first in his knee, and then in his lungs. We would like to thank the people at: Fullness of Life Foundation and Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona; Koos for Kids in Racine; and our Church Family at 1st Evangelical Free Church, as well as many relatives and friends who have supported and prayed for David throughout his life. David's family is thankful he is now with the Lord Jesus...to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!
Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
4600 County Line Rd., Racine (262) 552-9000
3 comments:
I pray that our little guy Elijah Abraham is a man of God as David was. He was a light of Jesus Christ to those around him. Just thinking of David looking upon Jesus now is so Awesome!!! We will miss you, but will see ya soon brother.
David working in the Blue school office at Park was fun. You always had a smile on your face even when you you were eating those nasty dryed friuts. Life without you will never be the same. We all will miss you. Good bye for now until we meet again in heaven. Hopefully golfing is better in heaven. GO GOLF!!!!!!!! Your friend, Chris Henkel
I did not know David but I want you to know he has touched my life and the life of my dear friend who was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumor 3 weeks ago. A friend whos daughter was fighting cancer had given me a copy of the cookbook "Eating with Dave" and I have been able to share this with my friend. It has been a wonderful resource for all of us to learn about nutrition and try to make all of our lives healthier. We live in Kansas City and my friend lives in Phoenix so I just wanted you to know that he has touched many many lives and we are so thankful for all of your research and knowledge. David seems to be a remarkable young man who has blessed all in his path.
In His Name....
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