John W. “Jack” Penny

John W. “Jack” Penny, 67, of Newton, died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019.  No services are scheduled at this time. The Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton is handling the arrangements.

Jack, the son of James Ward and Mary Agnes (Reddy) Penny, was born Jan. 13, 1952, in Newton. He graduated from Newton in 1970. After living in Bridal Veil, Ore. for a few years, Jack moved back to Newton and began working at The Maytag Company. He retired in 2007 after working in the sheet metal department for 30 years. Jack was united in marriage with Mary Harrison on March 20, 1981, in Newton.

Jack was a member of the UAW Local 997 and Retirees’ Unions and the Izaak Walton League. He had written many articles for fishing magazines in the U.S. and Europe. He had also written a book, Pro Tactics for Northern Pike, which was a how-to guide for fishing. Jack was an eight-time record holder for freshwater fishing and was a member of the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed hunting and anything in the outdoors.

Jack is survived by his wife, Mary of Newton; daughter, Janelle (Alyssa Jakowchuk) of Iowa City; siblings: James (Glenna) Penny of Newton, Judy Kearney of Paris, France, and Jane Penny of Portland, Ore.; siblings-in-law: Charlis Douglas of Mabank, Texas, Patricia Colwell of Knoxville, Donald (Carolyn) Little of Newton, and David (Jo Johnson)Little of Newton; and several nieces and nephews, including Devon Kearney, Trevor Kearney, Judd Penny and Jolie Gulling. He was preceded in death by his parents.