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The Life of Maj. Denton S. Fenstermacher

Major Denton Samuel Fenstermacher, United States Marine Corps, Retired, 86, formerly of Bowers and Blandon, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 in The Lutheran Home at Topton. He was the loving husband of Margaret K. "Peg" (Blank) Fenstermacher, whom he married on September 20, 1952. Born in Lyon Station, Denton was a son of the late Emma A. (Rollman) Haring. He was a 1949 graduate of Kutztown Area High School, and was a member of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bowers, where he served on the church Council from 1971 to 1974.

Denton honorably and faithfully served his country for 21 years in The United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Major.  His service from 1948 until his retirement in 1969, was during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was most recently employed by The Lutheran Home at Topton, working in their maintenance department, from 1987 until 1993.

Denton was very active in his community. He served as a Past President of the Kutztown Rotary Club (1974-1975); a member of the Kutztown Area School District School Board (1977-1981); a Scout Master of the Boy Scouts of America, Long Island, New York, (1963-1964); a Cub Scout Master, Kutztown (1970-1971); Committee Chairman for the Boy Scouts, Cherry Point, NC; Committee Man for the Boy Scouts of America, Springfield, VA (1968-1969). He was also a member of the Retired Officers Association, the Marine Corps. Mustang Association and the American Legion.

Denton was an avid woodworker and enjoyed taking his yearly fishing trips to Canada with his brothers.

In addition to his wife of 65 years, Peg, Denton is survived by his children, Kathryn E. (Fenstermacher), wife of Thomas A. Marino, Fairfax Station, VA, Lizbeth S. (Fenstermacher), wife of John M. Gaughan, Center Valley, William D. Fenstermacher, Chapin, SC, and Col. Stephen M. Fenstermacher, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired, husband of Jill R. (Konemann) Fenstermacher, Kutztown; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Cora E. (Haring), wife of Richard Spare, Pottstown, Suzanne W. (Haring), widow of Paul Azinger, Apollo, Deborah L. (Haring), wife of Michael Frederick, Severne, MD; and brothers, Neil A., husband of Linda (Kyde) Haring, Wernersville, Allen R., husband of Joan (Wentzel) Haring, Kutztown, Timothy A., husband of Diane (Yoder) Haring, Kutztown, Sidney F., husband of Sue (Feather) Haring, Topton, and Christopher M., husband of Tammy (Schilling) Haring, Oley. He was predeceased by his parents, sister, Manda L. Haring, and brothers, Joseph Haring, Michael Haring and Franklin "Benji" Fenstermacher.

A memorial service to celebrate Denton's life will be held on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 550 Fleetwood Road, Bowers, PA, with his Pastor, Reverend Elizabeth A. Haines officiating. Military honors provided by The United States Marine Corps Honor Guard will conclude the services in the church. The family will receive relatives and friends following the military honors in the church's Fellowship Hall. Burial will held privately in Berks County Memorial Gardens, Fleetwood.

The family requests contributions be made in Denton's memory to Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 88, Bowers, PA  19511-0088.

Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and  condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.



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1989.07.01
Meeting My Father-In-Law

I had a crush on his daughter Kathy from the moment she was introduced to me.  Although Kathy and I were always great friends, it took almost 5 years for me to build up the courage to ask her out.  But nothing rattled me as much as the weekend before the 4th of July in 1989 when I was invited home to meet her parents.  Forewarned and forearmed by her siblings, I thrust myself into the breach, to meet the man I would one day ask permission to begin a new journey I'd started to envision years before.  But not even any psychological advantage that may have come from growing up Italian in NY could prepare me for this antithesis of an inquisition.  After what seemed like an official 3-day waiting period, while sitting at the kitchen table, Denton finally spoke directly to me and asked what I did for a living.  Seemingly pleased with my response, he granted me the good fortune to entertain more of his questions.  Soon I was invited to tour his woodworking shop, and not long after we were making minor repairs together on the riding mower.  Later we returned to the house, where Kathy and her mom were waiting and smiling.  Kathy softly whispered, "he likes you," as Denton returned to his chair near the back door at the kitchen table.  We all joined him, and all was right with the world.

Posted by Thomas M on 04/10/2018