Obituary of Harry Lee Denton
1933 – 2023
Harry Lee Denton, 89, of Cave-in-Rock, passed away on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023.
He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Opal Denton; his beloved daughters Cathy (John) Price of Cave-in-Rock IL and Janet (John) Hart of Harrisburg, IL; grandchildren, John Bradly (Michele) Price of Elizabethtown, IL, Brian David (Trisha) Price of O’Fallon, IL, Julie Beth (Greg) Warren of Rosiclare, IL, Maggie Lee (Jos??) Hart-Ray, of Savannah, GA; and loving great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother James Gordon (Mary Ellen) Denton of Cave-in-Rock, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
Harry Lee was preceded in death by his father, Jonathan Walter Denton; mother, Velma Fern Denton; brothers, Jonathan Walter Denton Jr. and William Robert Denton. Half siblings also include Raymond Denton, Virgil Denton, Floyd Adrian Denton, Clifford Denton, and Judy Wright. Two loving cousins include Virgil “Radian” Denton and Joyce “Sissy” Willis.
Harry Lee was born on February 27, 1933 to Jonathan Walter Denton and Velma Fern Denton. He attended Boyer Grade School and graduated from Cave-in-Rock High School in 1950. He grew up with a love for sports, was the pitcher of the traveling Austin Brothers Softball Team, and, with other county teammates, played in the 1950 state championship game. His love of baseball earned him the nickname “Satch” by his classmates after the famous pitcher Satchel Page.
Harry Lee and Opal were married November 4th, 1950.
Like many young men in the area, Harry Lee began working underground in the fluorspar mines. Later in 1960 he started farming and raising livestock with his brother, Gordon, establishing Denton Bros. The Denton brothers were one of the first Hardin County farmers to plant “no-till” corn. While farming he and Gordon received the Goodyear 1968 Farmer of the Year award, winning them a trip to Phoenix, Arizona.
As a member of Potters Church, he took great pride in serving his community being elected to the Cave-in-Rock School Board. While serving as President of the school board, one of his proudest accomplishments was assuring that all students would be photographed at their graduation.
He then took that love of community service and poured his heart into making a difference in the farming community. He served on the Hardin and Pope County Farm Bureau Board for 42 years until he resigned in 2022.
Services will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Potters Church in Cave-In-Rock, IL. Family will be accepting visitors from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. with services to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Hardin County Golden Circle “Meals on Wheels’’ or Cave Hill Cemetery, Cave-In-Rock, IL.
Arrangements are entrusted to Stricklin Funeral Home of Harrisburg, IL.
To purchase flowers and gifts locally, visit www.RosiclareFlowerBasket.net .
