Stephen H. Penaluna was born September 22, 1948, in Rensselaer, Indiana, to Lovetra Aleen (Mynatt) and Richard Edwards Penaluna. Stephen and his sister, Connie, were both adopted and raised by loving parents. Stephen considered his adoption a blessing and was proud to have been chosen and deeply loved by his family.
His father served as an Air Force chaplain, and Stephen’s childhood took him to various military bases, on the West Coast and in Panama. Following his father’s active-duty military career, the family settled in Saratoga, California, where his father pastored a church. Stephen graduated from Westmont High School in 1966 and went on to graduate from the University of California, Riverside, in 1970 with a degree in sociology and a minor in music.
Stephen met his beloved red head, Adriana Lewis, at church in Saratoga, California, and they were married in 1974. Together they raised four children. Their life centered on family, homeschooling and adventures together through the many moves required by Stephen’s military and civilian careers. They lived in Arizona, Colorado, California, Alaska, and Kansas, before settling in Seguin, Texas, where they retired to be near family.
Stephen was a hard worker from his high school years onward and held a variety of jobs before building a successful career in banking. He also spent a brief period driving a log truck before beginning a ten-year active-duty career in the United States Army with the Criminal Investigation Command. After leaving active duty while stationed in Alaska, he transitioned into civil service and spent another 18 years working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in wetlands permitting.
Stephen was saved at the age of seven and remained faithful to the Lord throughout his life. He was a devoted church member and served in music ministry, and as a Deacon wherever he lived. He was always involved in Bible studies and even helped establish a still thriving church that began as a Bible study in his home in Arizona.
Music was an important part of Stephen’s life from an early age and remained a lifelong passion. He played many instruments, including piano, organ, banjo, guitar, and sousaphone, and sang as a bass in choirs throughout his life. His primary instrument was the bass trombone, which he played with great skill and enthusiasm. He participated in marching band, symphony, community bands and church music ministry.
One of Stephen’s greatest passions was automobiles. He was a skilled mechanic who could often diagnose a problem simply by hearing the motor over the phone. He shared his knowledge and love of cars with his children and grandchildren, creating countless memories working together on vehicles. He built a Model A at just 19 years old and later owned other antique cars. He enjoyed participating in car clubs, attending car shows, displaying his vehicles in parades, and winning trophies for his beloved cars “Flossie” and “Lucile”.
For ten years, Stephen worked part-time at Tres Hewell Mortuary in Seguin, a role he considered a ministry. His genuine compassion and ability to connect with people allowed him to offer comfort and friendship during times of loss.
Stephen was a people person who had a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Whether talking with a businessman, a mechanic, a fellow church member, or someone he had just met, he took a sincere interest in others and made them feel valued.
Stephen will be remembered for his faithful service to the Lord, his love for people, his devotion to his family, his passion for music and automobiles, and his willingness to encourage others wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, church family, car club friends, and the many people whose lives he touched.
Stephen is preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alice and George Lewis, and brother-in-law, Alan Lewis.
Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Adriana Lewis Penaluna; children, Devin Penaluna and wife Deborah, Marjorie Miller, Chelsea Farran and husband Ryan, and Scott Penaluna; grandchildren, Elissa Evans and husband James, Brett Penaluna, Abigale Penaluna, Nathan Penaluna, Tristan Miller, Tait Miller, Grant Miller, Blythe Farran, Byron Farran, and Chaucer Farran; sister, Connie Knapp; brother-in-law, Paul Lewis and wife Michelle Lundquist; two cousins, several nieces, nephews, other loving family members and a host of friends, including his car club friends and his beloved church family.
Visitation will begin on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Pathway Bible Church, 1314 E. Cedar, Seguin, at 10 a.m. followed by funeral service at 11 a.m. including military honors, with the Reverend Dr. Brice Mandaville officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
Private interment will be held at a later date in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Bible Church, 1314 E. Cedar, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or to the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center, P. O. Box 1962, Seguin, Texas, 78156.
You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.