Lowell H. Penner

Lowell H. Penner, 64, of Ligonier, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as the result of a motorcycle accident. His longtime companion, Leah Lichtenberger, also lost her life in the same accident.

To know Lowell was to know someone who was truly one of a kind. He was a free spirit in every sense of the word—loving, kind, genuine, and living life entirely on his own terms. Lowell never knew a stranger. Whether you had known him for fifty years or fifty seconds, he had an effortless way of making you feel like an old friend.

He was a master storyteller with an infectious sense of humor, a quick wit, and an endless supply of dry jokes and awful puns that could light up any room. Lowell loved to make people laugh, and once he got going, his humor was completely irresistible.

Lowell was happiest around motorcycles, rat rods, old cars, and anything with an engine. To him, machines were more than metal and bolts—they carried a story, a distinctive sound, and a genuine sense of freedom. He loved the mechanics, the camaraderie of the garage, and most of all, the simple joy of getting on two wheels and riding toward the horizon.

Born August 10, 1962, in Hagerstown, Maryland, to Leonard H. Penner and Lorena (Detwiler) Penner, Lowell carried a hardworking, hands-on spirit throughout his life, working for many years as an automotive service manager.

Yet Lowell’s greatest legacy won’t be found in a job title or the vehicles he restored. It lives on in the people he loved, the laughter he sparked, and the countless lives he touched simply by being himself.

He will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Lorena Penner; his children, Trae (Derek) Church and Breana (Ryan Specht) Penner; six grandchildren; his brothers, Lee (Debra) Penner of Newton, Kansas, and Lauren (Hilary) Penner of Palmer Lake, Colorado; along with extended family and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Penner, and his son, Cody Alexander Penner.

His absence will be deeply felt in every place his presence once filled—in the garage, at gatherings with friends, and out on the open road.

We will miss his laugh, his puns, and his unforgettable stories. Most of all, we will miss the way he made everyone feel like they belonged.

It is difficult to imagine a world without Lowell in it. But the best way to remember him is with a smile—recalling the way he lived with his heart wide open, his hands never far from a wrench, and his spirit always pointed toward the next ride.

Keep the motor running.

Keep the chrome shining.

Keep the wheels turning.

And ride that endless highway.

Visitation & Services

* Visitation: 12:00–4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall in Goshen.

* Celebration of Life: 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2026, at The Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge, 12889 N. Kern Road, Syracuse, Indiana.

* Cremation will take place.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

* Syracuse American Legion Riders (c/o American Legion Post 223, designated for Toys for Tots)

* Veteran’s Senior Living and Care Home in West Lafayette