Father Michael William Penn was born on March 15, 1957, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents Claggett S. Penn and Margaret M. (O’Hare) Penn, and is survived by his brother priests, Delaney Family, relatives, neighbors, and many friends.

Father Penn attended the following elementary and secondary schools in Kansas City, Missouri: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Guardian Angels, Bishop Lillis High School, and St. John’s Diocesan Seminary. Prior to moving to Edina, Fr. Penn worked in various retail and hospitality positions, and assisted in various church and parish ministries. He then attended Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City, Missouri, Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, Missouri, and Conception Seminary College, Conception, Missouri where he received his BA in Theology. Fr. Penn then attended Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Fr. Penn was ordained on May 31, 2003, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City by the Most Reverend John R. Gaydos, Bishop of Jefferson City.

His pastoral assignments were:

– Associate Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Columbia from 2003-2004

– Pastor, St. Mary, Glasgow from 2004-2010

– Pastor, St. Joseph, Slater from 2004-2010

– Pastor, Holy Rosary, Monroe City from 2010-2018

– Pastor, St. Stephen, Indian Creek from 2010-2018

– Pastor, St. Joseph, Palmyra from 2011-2018

– Pastor, St. Joseph, Canton from 2015-2016

– Pastor, Notre Dame, LaGrange from 2015-2016

– Pastor, Queen of Peace, Ewing from 2015-2016

– Pastor, St. Mary, Shelbina from 2016-2018

– Pastor, St. Patrick, Clarence from 2016-2018

– Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Taos from 2018-2022

– Pastor, Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Ozark from 2022 until his death

Other positions held by Father Penn:

– Bishop’s Master of Ceremonies from 2004-2018

– Senator, Columbia Deanery from 2004-2008

– Liturgical Commission from 2005-2019

– Dean, Columbia Deanery from 2006-2007

– Priest Representative to Diocesan Pastoral Council from 2009-2010

– Dean, Hannibal Deanery from 2013-2018

– Ministry to Priests Committee from 2017-2018

– Priests’ Personnel Board from 2018-2022

– Ex Officio, Helias Catholic High School Board of Directors from 2019-2022

– Pastor Review Panel from 2019-2022

– Served as the Bishop’s delegate to the Fr. Tolton Guild for the cause of canonization of Fr. Tolton from 2010 until his death

– Presbyteral Council from 2022-2025

Fr. Penn was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree.

A Vigil Service will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Lake Ozark, Missouri on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 3:30 pm. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 pm. There will be an additional visitation on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Missouri from 10 – 11 am. The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am. The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight will preside, with Rev. Gregory Meystrik as homilist. A meal will follow the Mass in Cana Hall. On Sunday, February 23, 2025 there will be a visitation from 3 – 4 pm at St. Joseph Church, Edina, Missouri with Evening Prayer for the Dead to follow. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Edina, Missouri immediately after the prayer.