David Anthony Penza, 19, passed away at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona on Sunday, September 7, 2008 following a courageous five-year battle with cancer. David was born in Racine on March 4th, 1989, son of Frank Leahy Penza and Cheryl Kay Penza. David graduated from 8th grade at Union Grove Christian School and then from 12th grade at Washington Park High School in 2007. David was a Racine resident his entire life. David had a passion to serve at his church, First Evangelical Free Church in Racine; he served as a leader in the Awana ministry as well as assisting with his H.S. Youth Group. He took part in many missions' trips, one of them to Jamaica. Dave loved sports and started his sports career in RYS (Racine Youth Sports) playing football and baseball. He also participated in basketball while attending UGCS and was on the golf team at Park High School (Dave loved golf)! His greatest passion was to glorify God in all he did throughout his life. He enjoyed reading the word of God (the Bible) and his favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. He was not ashamed to give God the glory when he shared his faith with others. Dave had many opportunities to speak for different groups including the American Cancer Society Relay for life, Fullness of Life Foundation as well as the Milwaukee Brewers chapel service. He has shared the platform with people such as Ron Heagy, a motivational speaker, as well as Sherry Lund, an advocate for integrative medicine. David was an incredibly unique person with a spirit of humility, faith and love for others. David is survived by his parents Frank and Cheryl Penza; siblings, Michael Penza, Kristin Bodnar (Penza), Daniel Penza, Kimberly Penza, Faith Penza; and grandparents, Kenneth and Delores Liesner, as well as many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. Funeral Services will be held at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Ave., on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm. A luncheon, to continue celebrating David's life, will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be at Calvary Memorial Church this Saturday from 11 am – 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Penza family or to the Dave Penza Fund at Educators Credit Union P.O. Box 081040 Racine, Wisconsin 53408. The last 5 years of David's life were spent battling cancer, first in his knee, and then in his lungs. We would like to thank the people at: Fullness of Life Foundation and Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona; Koos for Kids in Racine; and our Church Family at 1st Evangelical Free Church, as well as many relatives and friends who have supported and prayed for David throughout his life. David's family is thankful he is now with the Lord Jesus…to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!