James Neil Denton

OREGON-James "Neil" Denton passed away on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. He was born on Nov. 19, 1931, to James and Annie Marie "Mary" (Anderson) Denton in the Town of Oregon. He attended Fisher Valley Country School, before attending and graduating from Oregon High School in 1949. Neil married Mary Ann Riese on June 12, 1954, and they had four children. He worked at several different types of employment, but his favorite position was the home delivery milkman for Bancroft Dairy. Neil's territory was the Oregon area, and he enjoyed his many customers. After home delivery was discontinued, he worked for the Oregon School district and also for 39 years as a school bus driver, where his passengers knew him as Snoopy. Later, he returned to work at Bancroft Dairy in the plant. After his divorce, he met and married Roberta "Bobbie" (Hanson) Denton in July, 1983. They purchased lakefront property on Lake Camelot and enjoyed their recreation time at the lake before her untimely passing in 1992. A few years later, he found a new partner in Nancy Shermo and they were married in 2004. They were very fortunate to join the Friendship force and traveled the world together. They also enjoyed several baseball trips around the country, but always cheered the loudest for his dear Chicago Cubs. Neil's other great passion was for the Boy Scouts and he was very active with Troop 50. Neil is survived by his four children: Janine (Jerry) Jensen, Gary (Jeanette) Denton, Kathy (Alan) Pipkorn, and Rhonda (Tom) Clayton; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by six stepchildren; and several step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arden; sister, Phyllis Short; second wife, Bobbie; and third wife, Nancy. A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, with a luncheon following. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or to the Boy Scouts Troop No. 50. The world is a better place because dad was here and now heaven enjoys his presence. We miss him and know we will be reunited at some time in the future. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park Street (608)835-3515