A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12 PM on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 120 W Main St., Front Royal, Virginia, with Father Daniel Gee officiating. Following the Mass, his burial will take place at Cool Spring Natural Cemetery in Berryville.
A visitation will take place from 5-7 PM on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main St., Front Royal, Virginia.
John was born on November 3, 1941, in Hoboken, New Jersey, to the late George and Brigid Sweeney Pennell. He was also preceded in death by his son, Sean Timothy Pennell, and his sister, Brigid Pennell Keller.
Surviving John is his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Ann Sullivan Pennell; his children, Terrance Patrick Pennell, Brigid Ann Shanley, Mary Ann Fenton, Maureen Patricia Cook, Kathleen Sullivan Murtugh, and Jean Marie Schindler; his brothers, James Pennell of Beaufort, SC, and Daniel Pennell of New Jersey; his sister, Peggy Peck of Lakewood, Ohio; his numerous grandchildren; and his two great-grandchildren.
John was a veteran of the United States Navy and a member of St. John’s Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be family members.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Front Royal Pregnancy Center at 11 S Royal Ave, Front Royal, Virginia 22630.
