Ned B. Denlinger's Obituary
Ned Baker Denlinger, age 96, of Kettering, passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. He was born May 7, 1927, at his grandparents’ home in Pitsburg, Ohio, to Ray F. & Mary (Baker) Denlinger.
Ned started carrying newspapers at age 7 for the Dayton Journal Herald. At age 9, he was named “Dayton’s Star Carrier.” At age 14, he was promoted to the newspaper branch manager over 17 carriers. At age 17, Ned had the urge to go to California, so he hitched a ride (at Rt49/Rt40) with Major William Nusser, driving the whole way for him to Fresno, CA.
Ned was captain of the 1944-45 Fairview High School football team and was named Dayton’s “All-City” player. He graduated from Fairview High School in 1945 and then served in the US Navy during the end of World War II on the battleship USS Colorado. He graduated from The University of Dayton in 1950 with a degree in Business Economics. He then entered business with his father in Denlinger’s Garage, which became the pride of Dayton for 43 years, specializing in Cadillac repairs. He was the president of the Dayton Garage Owners Association for 7 years and was on the advisory board for Sinclair College’s Automotive Department for 7 years.
Ned retired from Denlinger’s Garage in 1989, after which he enjoyed doing various odd jobs for many people. Numerous homes all over Dayton have received Ned’s careful attention to detail in repairing, painting, or whatever the homeowner requested. In addition, for about 25 years, he volunteered at Kettering Hospital, cooked breakfast for the Saturday Men’s Group at Fairhaven Church, and led his Fairview High School Class of 1945 reunions.
Ned loved playing softball (until age 80), playing bridge, helping people, and being with children and grandchildren, especially on family trips and cruises. In 1987, he traveled alone to Amman, Jordan, to meet his newest grandson, and he even brought along several steaks in an insulated carrier to grill for dinner. Over the years, Ned sponsored several “all family” cruises, the best being a two-week land & sea trip to Alaska in 2006. In May of 2022, at age 95, Ned was able to travel with Phil to Washington, DC, with an “Honor Flight” group for US veterans.
One of Ned’s favorite pastimes was making homemade ice cream. Sometimes, he’d have two freezers whirring away at once, and then he would give the ice cream to his friends, family, and even to people like the nurses who administered his chemo or his mail carrier. He loved giving gifts to people.
He was a wonderful father, a deep thinker, a master bridge player, an inventor, was very active in his church, and he loved Jesus.
Ned is survived by a daughter, Sally (Mark) Watkins, sons Ned (Kathy) and Phil (Lisa); 10 grandchildren: Kristen Tyler, Katie, Nathan, and Kendra Denlinger; Matthew, Stephen, and Laura Watkins; Chip, Andrew, and John Denlinger, 12 great-grandchildren, and a sister Betty Fader.
The family will receive friends from 11 AM to Noon on Tuesday, April 16, at the Miamisburg Christian Church, immediately followed by a funeral service at Noon. Pastor Mike Tuttle will officiate the services. The burial will be in Hill Grove Cemetery, Miamisburg. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family. Condolences may be made at www.stubbsconner.com.
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