Richard “Rich” Luther Pennington, 50, of La Porte, Indiana, passed away surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Northwest Health La Porte.
Rich was born on February 18, 1975, in La Porte, IN, to Roy and Tonya (Vermilyer) Pennington. He grew up with a big heart, a contagious laugh, and an endless love for his family and friends.
Surviving are his 5 children, Cody, Cory (Charlie), Bailee, Brooklyn, and Reid Pennington, all of La Porte; mother, Tonya Pennington of La Porte; 6 siblings, Dora (Kalvin) Jones, Roy “Buddy” (Tiffany) Pennington, Amanda “Mandy” (Tim) Pennington, Carl (Nikole) Pennington, Lisa (David) Sanchez, and Alan (Jessica) Weaver, all of La Porte; his forever love, Kristen Timm and her 3 children, Maddux, Garrett, and Addison; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Harold Pennington, Sr., and grandparents, Janet Vermilyer and Luther and Dora Pennington.
Rich worked as a crane operator. He enjoyed playing basketball, football, and visiting the casino. Rich was the kind of person who could fill a room with laughter. Always ready with a joke or a funny story, he had a gift for making people smile and loved being the one to lift everyone’s spirits. A true jokester at heart, he shared his humor generously with his friends and family. As a teen, weekends were spent sneaking out of the house with his buddies to get into mischief, which usually ended in good fun most of the time. Rich could be stubborn; that was part of his charm, but beneath that stubborn streak was a heart that cared deeply. If you were in trouble, he was there! You needed a laugh, Rich had the jokes, or if you simply needed him to be there. Family meant everything to him. He was a devoted father who adored his five children and took pride in every moment with them. Being a Dad is what he enjoyed the most on this earth, and he was good at it! His nieces and nephews absolutely adored their fun-loving uncle, and his friends were like his family, too. Rich’s warmth, laughter, and love will continue to echo in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Pastor Monroe Jones officiating.
A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service, where family and friends are invited to share stories and laughter in his memory. Cremation will take place following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Rich by donating to a cause he cared about.
His laughter may be gone from our ears, but it will live forever in our hearts.
Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.
