David Penner never expected to see his wedding band again after losing it at least 15 years ago. The ring had slipped off his finger somewhere on Wyckoff’s Tree Farm in White Township, and a return visit to look for it proved futile.
But, thanks to a lucky discovery by the farm’s owner this year, Penner’s ring was back on her finger after years concealed beneath the earth on Monday.
Penner, who lives in Great Meadows and is 68 years old, stated, “I felt it was a miracle.”
Penner found the reunion to be bittersweet. Nancy Penner, his wife, died on September 30th at the age of 67, after 42 years of marriage. He thinks a piece of her has returned to him with the return of the ring she gave him on July 20, 1974.
“In her absence, this was a piece to come back to me,” he explained.
The ring was discovered by coincidence one morning in April by John Wyckoff, a third-generation tree farmer. He spotted a glimpse of something in the earth as he rode on the back of a tractor, planting trees. He motioned for the driver to come to a halt and rummaged among the dirt for a ring. On the farm, he had frequently discovered lost trinkets such as sunglasses and children’s toys, but never something as costly as a wedding band.
Wyckoff thought that with a wide enough platform, the story of his discovery would reach the correct person before Christmas, noting a characteristic design on the outside and “To David. Love, Nancy” and wedding date etched within. He was granted his request.
Last week, a video and article on NJ.com piqued readers’ curiosity, and they began contacting Wyckoff.
“I probably got around a half-dozen emails from people offering me leads,” Wyckoff said. “One of them was spot on.”
Penner’s sister-in-law was the one who originally informed him of the discovery. When he saw the footage on Saturday, he knew it was his ring right away. His sister-in-law advised him to phone Wyckoff’s right away. Penner, on the other hand, did not call; instead, he drove right over.
On a busy Saturday, the farm was bustling with visitors, but Wyckoff took the time to allow Penner into his home to see the ring. Penner was aware of the data contained within the ring, which Wyckoff had kept hidden when telling the narrative. Wyckoff, on the other hand, was cautious and requested a wedding certificate as well. Penner volunteered to present his identification, but Wyckoff refused.
Penner recalls saying, “That’s no issue.” “On Monday, I’ll go to the safe deposit box and obtain the certificate.”
For the first time since he lost his wedding band, Penner is wearing it now. He never replaced it because he believed the original ring could not be replaced properly.
“We had each other,” Penner added. “That was the most important thing.”