Jerry L. Penrod, 67, of Bluffton, died at 10:15 a.m. Monday, April 18, 2011, at his residence. Mr. Penrod was born in Bluffton on Nov. 7, 1943 to Claude and Verda (Gordon) Penrod. He married Joanna Jump in Uniondale on Aug. 30, 1964; she survives. A 1961 graduate of Rockcreek High School, Mr. Penrod also graduated from Ball State University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science, and later gained a Master of Arts degree at Ball State. He was a teacher with the Southern Wells school system for 38 years, teaching social studies and U.S. history to 7th through 12th grade students. He also farmed and painted. He coached basketball at Southern Wells for over 35 years - 28 years as freshman coach, four years each as head varsity coach and also in the middle school program. He was the Raiders coach when they reached semi-state. Even at the time of his death, his planning was centered around "education." He was a member of the Liberty Center Lions Club and Delta Chi fraternity at Ball State. Other surviving relatives include two sons, Gregory C. (Tonya) Penrod of Warren and David W. (Kimberly) Penrod of Bluffton; two daughters, Kathy L. (Keith) Fiechter of Decatur and Patti J. (Todd) Osborn of Poneto; one foster brother, Kenneth (Pat) Wright of Flatrock, Mich.; one step sister, Sharon (Jay) Crozier of Ossian; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mr. Penrod was preceded in death by his step father, Gerald Wright. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 a.m. Friday, at the Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, at the funeral home with Pastor Troy Drayer, assisted by James Schwarzkopf and Jim Irwin, officiating. Burial is at Elm Grove Cemetery, in Bluffton. Preferred memorials are to the Indiana University Medical Center (Simon Center), and Family Hospice and Palliative Care.