LORENZO PENN, JR.

Lorenzo “Butch” Penn, Jr. was born on November 23, 1947, in Monongahela, Pa. to the late Lorenzo and Dorthy Penn. He grew up in New Eagle, Pa. Lorenzo was the oldest of six children, and a cousin, Helen Knuckles-Bledsoe was raised with him. Lorenzo was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Monongahela and sang in the choir.

He attended the Monongahela High School and graduated in1966. In high school, Lorenzo was in the boys' choir and very active in sports. He was considered a "Mon Valley Legend." He played football for which he earned a full scholarship at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. He also played basketball, baseball and track.

After college, he moved to Indianapolis in the early 1970's and started career with the Indianapolis Parks Department at Riverside Community Center. He also worked at Youth Works as a counselor. Lorenzo had a passion for working with children with learning and physical disabilities. Lorenzo also did substitute teaching at IPS and Muncie schools.

Lorenzo joined the Mt Carmel Baptist Church and later became a devoted member of the Ravenbrook Bible Church, under the leadership of Pastor D.L. Walker.

Lorenzo became an actor and performed for several years with Freetown Village in Indianapolis. He's done several commercials for Artistic Enterprise and performed plays at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre. He also had roles in several movies and plays. To name a few: "Home Before The Holidays", "Through A Fish Eye", "To Kill A Mockingbird", "Sidewalk Shuffle". His most recent accomplishment was directing the gospel play "Scriptures".

Lorenzo "Butch" Penn passed away on December 2, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenzo and Dorthy Penn, brother, Robert Eugene Penn and sister, Marsha Penn.

He is survived by his  children, Lisa Penn-Johnson of Houston, Texas,  Kia Hart Perry (Jay) of Raleigh, North Carolina, Faith Jenkins of Indianapolis, Indiana and Lorenzo Eugene Alexander Penn of Austin, Texas; Grandchildren, Cameron Penn, William Johnson Jr, Kyle Johnson  Ryan Johnson, Nevaeh, Nyla, Zion, Nalaysia, NaRiah; great-grandchildren, William Johnson III and Brandon III, Ny'Zere; sister, Dorothy Penn-Mason of Indianapolis, brothers Al (Katrina) and Richard Allen Penn of Indianapolis, cousin Helen Knuckles-Bledsoe of Akron, Ohio and fiancé Marilyn Guerin of Indianapolis.

Lorenzo will be deeply missed. His memories will be cherished by a host of loving family and friends. Lorenzo will never be forgotten.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LORENZO PENN, JR., please visit our floral store.