Paul R. Denning
Paul R. Denning, 85, of Minford, passed away surrounded by his family, Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Southern Ohio Medical Center. Paul was a resident of West Portsmouth, but has been a resident of Minford since 1957. Born December 20, 1932 in West Portsmouth, a son of the late Leslie and Ethel (Hill) Denning, he was a graduate of Washington High School in the class of 1953, now known as Portsmouth West High School, where he played football and basketball. Immediately after high school, Paul spent two years in the Army during the Korean Conflict, with most of his service time spent in Alaska. On August 9, 1957, he married Helen Purdy Denning, the love of his life. They were married 61 years. Paul was a member of Harrison Free Will Baptist Church, where he served in different capacities, the last being a Deacon in the Church. He was a well known member of the Minford community, where he worked with Little League and Pee Wee Football and was always ready of help others in the church and community. He continued playing slow pitch softball until his own son began playing Little League. He was an avid golfer and continued to play until 2017, when health issues prevented him from playing. Paul retired in 1991 with 36 years of service from N &W Railway, now known as Norfolk and Southern. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Denning, and grandson, Matthew Denning; seven brothers, Charles, Harold, Darrell, Wayne, George, Herbert, Jerry; four sisters, Mary Spurlock, Elizabeth Eulitt, Olive Ratliff and Betty Rollins. He is survived by his wife, Helen (Purdy) Denning; a son and daughter in law, Jeffrey and Leeann Denning of Minford; a granddaughter, Katherine “Katie” (Wesley) Jenkins of Ashville; two sisters, Ethel (Tiny) Hicks of Indiana, Elnora Montgomery of Hilliard; a brother, Ralph (Janet) Denning of Payne, Ohio and many nieces and nephews. Paul was a wonderful family man, husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 30, 2018 at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford, with Pastors Dan Widdig and Mike Mounts officiating. Burial will be in Bennett Cemetery in Minford. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Paul’s name to Harrison Free Will Baptist Church, 12254 State Route 139, Minford, Ohio, 45653. Online condolences may be made to WWW.EDAFH.COM.
