Robert "Kenny" Penton

Robert Kenneth Penton, 83, of Middle Grove, MO, passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023 at his home with his wife, Judy, and his Blue Heeler, Jenny at his side. He was born June 14, 1940 in Clifton Hill, MO to Waldo and Evelyn (Canote) Penton.  

Kenny graduated from Huntsville High School where he enjoyed playing basketball.  In 1962, he went to work for Orscheln Bros. Truck Lines where he stayed for 21 years until they closed.  He went to work for Moberly Packing for several years before going to work as a truck driver for Orscheln Farm and Home where he worked for 19 years before retiring.

He was an avid horseman with the quarter horses and later with Belgian Draft horses.  He was one of the founding members of the OK Corral Saddle Club in Huntsville, a member of the Missouri Draft Horse Association and a Lifetime member of the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation.  He took his Belgian horses to the Midwest Old Threshers at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, for 20 years for demonstrations on horse drawn equipment and was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011.  As a member of the Missouri Draft Horse Association, he was awarded the Linch Pin Award in 2017 in recognition of his dedication to the preservation and utilization of the Draft Horse in Missouri.

He also took his horses to the state corn husking competition at Marshall, MO along with participation in local parades.  He always loved the opportunity to parade his horses at Old Settlers and Cowboys for Christmas every year.  He especially loved to plow with his team of Belgians and his antique John Deere sulky plow.  Kenny’s favorite pastime was talking…he never met a stranger and was always willing to help someone when or where he could. 

Kenny married Judy Volle May 22, 1998, and she survives of the home.  Also surviving are his children Kenna Kay Henry, Moberly; Bob (Kim) Penton of Columbia, and Cindy Heathman, Moberly; stepchildren Dusty (Katina) Volle, Moberly and Deana Volle, Columbia.  Two brothers, Oliver Penton of Huntsville and Norman Penton of Vandalia.  Grandchildren Joshua (Jamie) Henry, Russellville, Patrick Henry, Huntsville, Micala (Cory) Dummit, Centerview, MO,  Eric (Rachel) Penton of Herman, MO, Cortney (Stanley) Ikpe of Baltimore, MD, Nathan Petersheim of Harrisburg, MO, Kaleb Petersheim of Mexico, MO. Step-grandkids, Cameron (Callie) Volle, New Bloomfield, MO, Kelsey (Nathan) Katz, Saint Robert, MO, Trevor Volle, Moberly and Brianna Volle, Columbia. Great grandchildren are Eden, Phoenix and Cruze Henry, Clayton and Mason Dummit, Elijah Ikpe, Ava and Ella Petersheim, Kobe Petersheim, Amelia and Emmett Volle, and Ryan Katz.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters in law, Anita Penton and Cheryl Penton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Missouri Draft Horse Association or your choice of charity.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel, followed by Funeral Services honoring and celebrating Kenny’s life.  Committal prayer and burial took place in the Middle Grove Cemetery.