Harry Lee Denton

     Harry Lee Denton, 89 of Cave-in-Rock, passed away on 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 (José) 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 is 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 27th at Potters Church in Cave-In-Rock, IL. Family will be accepting visitors from 1:00 to 2:00 PM 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 entrusted to Stricklin Funeral Home of Harrisburg, IL.

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