Penelope “Penny” Jo Behrens, age 82, of Bartelso, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL, surrounded by her loving family. Penny was the devoted wife of Benjamin Behrens and a loving mother to five children.
Penny was born on March 4, 1943, to Benard and Sylvia (Davenport) Schlott. She was a proud graduate of Carlyle High School, class of 1961, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Benjamin Behrens, on June 26, 1963. They shared a loving marriage that spanned over 60 years.
A lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Carlyle, Penny’s faith was at the center of her life. She was deeply involved in her church community and dedicated many years to teaching Sunday School. Penny’s devotion to her faith extended into her home, where she worked tirelessly to raise her children with strong values, a love of learning, and an unwavering sense of independence.
Penny’s life revolved around her family. She was a loving and selfless mother, always putting the needs of her children first. She was a Cub Scout leader when her sons were young, and she worked tirelessly to ensure that her family was always supported and cared for. She also took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, whose love and happiness were her greatest treasures.
She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Behrens, sons Daniel Behrens (Svetlana) and Jonathan Behrens (Heather), daughters Sarah Pingsterhaus (Mark) and Liz Norrenberns (Chris), and her precious grandchildren: Sophia and Daniel Behrens and Katsiryna Prakharenka, Jani Hanner (Brett) and Brooks Behrens, Reagan and Bailey Pingsterhaus, Scarlett, Samuel, Rylee, and Bensen Norrenberns.
Penny is also survived by her brothers, Kenneth Schlott (Phyllis) and Dennis Schlott (Sharon), and sister Sandra Lee as well as many nieces and nephews,
She was preceded in death by her son, David Behrens; her parents, Benard and Sylvia Schlott; her brother, William Schlott; and her sister, Dawn Buck.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Carlyle. Visitation hours will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. that morning at the church. Burial will follow at Carlyle Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church or Clinton County Senior Services Meals on Wheels. Donations will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
Penny’s legacy of love, faith, and family will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.
