Date of Death: December 16, 2024
Service Details
His family will receive friends Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Derl Keefer officiating. A livestream of the service is available here.
Obituary Notice
Gregory Matthew Penny, 46, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, December 16, 2024 at his home.
He was born August 16, 1978 in Kalamazoo, the son of Ronald and Sharon (Hands) Penny. Greg was a long time resident of Three Rivers where he participated in baseball, football, and hockey throughout his youth. He was a graduate of Three Rivers High School and also Ball State University.
Greg went on to work as business manager at his family-owned business, Woodward’s Garage in Kalamazoo, MI for 23 years. He spent many years coaching Rocket Football, Maroon’s Baseball, and AYSO Soccer. Greg was a sports enthusiast and fanatic when it came to his favorite teams, Michigan Wolverines, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Colorado Buffalos. He also enjoyed playing fantasy football and time outdoors driving his 1967 Chevy Chevelle SS.
Greg always enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events and spent many years coaching them thru Rocket Football, Maroon’s Baseball, and AYSO Soccer. He was always a proud and faithful supporter of Three Rivers Athletics.
Greg treasured time spent with his family and children. He had a witty sense of humor and always loved telling jokes. He will be dearly missed by his many friends and family.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his parents; significant other, Erika Hinga; children, Brisen, Presleigh, Gabriella, Jaxon Smith, and Javon Brown; brothers, Curt (Deb), Ryan (Calistia), and Brad Penny; nieces and nephews, Olivia, Connor, Kendall, Brady, Braxtyn, Arbor, Rylie, Lanie, and Dani.
He was preceded in passing by grandparents, Donald and Janet Hands, Neil and Virginia Penny; aunts, Jackie Penny and Barb VanDyke; uncle, Donald Hands, Jr.
Additional Information
Donations in Greg’s memory may be directed to Erika Hinga in care of Greg’s children. Envelopes available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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It is with great sorrow, sadness and disbelief that I see Greg has passed. I have been taking my cars to Woodwards since the early 1980’s. When I walked in the shop I always felt I knew Ron and Greg more than as just a customer. I truly enjoyed the discussions and cynical opinions we always had to share. My heart goes out to the Penny family. Greg will be so terribly missed!
I was so very sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. I have been going to Woodwards for three generations and have always been very confident in their expertise. Greg was always such a delight to work with. Will miss him.
My Thoughts and prayers are going out to Greg’s family! I have done business with Woodwards in Kalamazoo for decades! I’m incredibly sad to hear of his passing !
Oh Erika, I am so very very sorry. I just saw this or I would have been at his service. You and your family are in my prayers🙏
My deepest condolences 💐 to Greg’s love ones. He will be truly missed.
Very saddened by the news of Greg’s passing.
Ron and his son Greg brought honesty and integrity to repairing and doing regular maintenance to our vehicles.
We respected their business and the team that worked with them in the garage!
I can still remember calling and saying Hi Ron…..no this Greg, or Hi Greg…..no this is Ron
those two voices on the phone were identical!
To the Penny family our heartfelt sympathy to each of you.
On Wednesday, I took them some thank you donuts and when I arrived I got some incredibly sad news. The man that had been helping me and a staple of Woodward’s Garage (the owner for several years), Greg. had passed away on Monday! To say I was in shock is an understatement. Even with that knowledge on Monday..they still got my car in and worked on it; fixing it… all while dealing with the death of a boss and friend!
I don’t know why I feel the need to tell this story, but I had to get it out there. Life is so weird and maybe just maybe my brakes were meant to squeak so I could be there in some small way. My goal in life was to get him to laugh. One time he told me the price of a fix and I yelled into the phone “you’re killin’ me smalls”. That got a pretty good chuckle!
Last week I had to wait for Sue to pick me up and he and I just got to talking. We talked more than we ever had, I made him laugh and gave him a mom talking too…it was nice. It felt like I could come and hang anytime.
He was a nice person and I’m glad I got that little extra time with him. Sue was very sweet and said to me “I’m so glad you were able to be a shining star in his life even at end of life”. I kinda hope that was true. 💔
We were devastated to hear of Greg’s passing. We have taken our cars to Woodward’s ever since we moved into Kalamazoo in 1998. The honesty and integrity that Greg (and Ron) had as business men is unmatched. I always looked forward to picking up or dropping off a car to have a chance to talk with Greg because he always had a funny to share. I know his family and friends are dealing with such a huge loss in their lives and we send our deepest sympathies to all.
Greg will be truly missed, I have been going to Woodward for 24 years. best shop in town always fixed my car,no matter what was wrong with it, very honest and trustworthy caring and kind young man and you could always trust there work or what he said it needed to be fixed ,he always cared about his customers he was always so kind ,I trusted him with my car never had to take my car back because something was not fixed right ,it was always fixed right the first time ,that’s the way Greg was he cared about your car like it was his own ,and he cared about his customers so kind hearted ,so young to be gone sending prayers hugs and love to the family ,I am so sorry of your loss ,Greg was a great very kind young man ,I am so sorry
Sending my condolences to the Penny family! I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed Greg when I came into the shop. I use to always call him “young Mr.Penny” blessings to the family.
My condolences to the family. Greg was my boss and fantastic to work for and with. May he rest in peace.
We are so sorry for your and your families loss. May his memory be a blessing to you and all that knew him. 💐
Greg was the caregiver to my car, over decades and so was his dad. He was always polite and efficient and reasonable. My healing thoughts are for Greg’s family and friends. I will miss you Greg. Thank you for all you did over the years at Woodward’s and beyond.
Alexander and Patricia Plair
Hello Penny Family it is with great sadness and condolences that we write to you. Woodward Garage has been a part of our family for many years. I was shocked to hear about Greg’s passing and the closing of the business. Your family will have the sincere prayers of our family and we hope nothing but the best going forward. Please know that your family has blessed many, many people in Kalamazoo and in the state of Michigan. God bless you all and we love you.
Greg Penny was a fantastic person always caring about everything. He will be missed by a lot of people and by me very much. I had the pleasure of working with him for 5 years and I was a patron of the garage for 43 or so years. May God rest his soul and and pass out peace for the rest of us left here on Earth I know he will miss his children and his life as we will miss him
My sincerest condolences to the Penny family. Greg was so knowledgeable about his craft that I always trusted my truck with him. I knew I was in good hands with Greg. I am going to miss him.
Sharon and Ron, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your son Greg. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
We are very sorry to learn of Greg’s passing. I have been going to Woodward’s Garage for 50 years and will miss seeing Greg at the shop. I looked forward to seeing him and chatting while waiting for my van to be serviced. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Sending my deepest condolences to all the family. I am so very sorry for the loss of Greg. My heart breaks over this💔. I remember the great parties we use to have growing up at the Buckhorn house! The hockey games him and my brother had. All the times I wanted to buy a car I would take it to Woodward’s and make Greg drive it for me lol. Thanks for all the lemons you helped me dodge the bullet on Greg, good lookin out my boy!! Erika stay strong friend, me and Lai miss you everyday.❤️🩹 Ron and Sharon you raised a great man and he will forever be remembered. So sorry again we love you all…Curt(Deb), Ryan(Calista) and Brad
I was so very sad to find out about Greg’s passing.
Woodward’s Garage has been servicing our cars since the 80’s. We have always had the best service and the best jokes from Mr. Ron and then Mr. Greg.
My sincere condolences to the family.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of your passing. Having known you since Kindergarten, many fun times beating you up on the playground. You will be missed by your family and friends. Prayers for the Penny family.
I met Greg at Ball State through his brother, Curt. We played hockey together and, just instantly “clicked.” We spent many hours together on and off the ice and had several laughs. While we grew apart after college, I have several fond memories and will never forget. My deepest condolences to Curt, his brothers, his children, and the rest of the family.
Erika please know you and your family are in John and I’s thoughts and prayers. Our hearts are broken for you all.
We were shocked to hear about Greg. We just saw him at Woodward’s a couple weeks ago. Prayers and condolences to all of you.
May Greg rest in peace. I knew Greg for 23 years and always enjoyed our interactions. He was a great guy and will be missed.
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Greg, but I am keeping his family and friends in prayer. I pray for your strength and comfort, and that you may always remember fondly the good times you shared.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all the Penny family. He will be dearly missed. Tim Hassenger formerly of Boland Tire TR.
I have been going to Woodward garage for over 25 years. Whenever I would call and tell Greg that I had a problem with either my vehicles. He would take the time to squeeze me in. Or he would say Vickie, drop it off and I will take care of it no problem. Who does that? He will be truly truly missed. Goodbye my friend. PS I promise the Bravada will get to 300,000 miles. Vickie.
Joe and I send our deepest condolences to the Penny family.
Those pics of you and hockey I remembered, but as we have gotten older..well we know how it goes the select few,,,lost many the last few years. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family and dear friends of Greg. Godspeed.
Our hearts ache alongside yours as we mourn the loss of Greg. His memory will be cherished forever and may you find peace in the love surrounding you.
So sorry to lose you so early, Greg. I always appreciated you and your family watching the Blades and hanging around TR. My deepest condolences to the family.
Greg will be so dearly missed. Every time I delivered parts to him we would banter back and forth. My heart goes out to his children and family.