M. Durward Penry, 89, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014 in Springfield. He was born June 3, 1924 in Toledo, Ohio to Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Penry. At an early age the family moved to Daphne, Alabama where he lived until graduating from high school. Soon after, he joined the Merchant Marines and served during World War II. When the war was over, he enrolled at Phillips University in Enid, OK where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then enrolled in Phillips Graduate Seminary earning the Bachelor of Divinity degree.

Durward was married to Mary Joan Slater of Wichita, KS on December 19, 1950. Together they served the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa. He was preceded death by his wife on November 26, 2002 and sister, Doris Rhymer of Fairhope, AL.

He is survived by daughters, Diane Hill of Andover, KS, Sharon Penry of Springfield, MO, Tamara Manny of Wichita, KS, Melanie Mitchell of Overland Park, KS and Lauri Penry of Gulf Breeze, FL; brothers, Walter and Bill Penry, both of Daphne, AL; sister, Estelle Johnson of Arvada, CO; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to M.D. & Mary Joan Penry Permanent Fund, C/O Christian Church Foundation, P.O. Box, 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 31, 2014 at South Street Christian Church from 10-11 am will services at 11, officiated by Reverend Janet Given. A private burial will take place at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens at a later date.