Charles Lee Denger

       Charles (Charlie) Lee Denger, of Wilmore, Ky., passed away Sunday morning, September 2, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jeneane Wright Denger. He was born on April 8, 1935, in Ingalls, Indiana, at the home of his parents, the late Leslie and Gladys (Carlson) Denger.

       Charlie grew up in Indiana and graduated from Fortville High School in 1953 where he played baseball and basketball. In 1955 he coached the Little League team in Ingalls, IN. and later a church basket ball team in Lexington. As a young man, he achieved the status of a Master Plasterer.

       Feeling called into ministry, he moved his family to Wilmore, Ky. in 1965. He graduated Asbury College in 1969 and attended Asbury Seminary. While in college, he was pastor of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church in Carmel, Ky., and Mt. Tabor UMC in Tollesboro, Ky. While in Seminary, he was pastor of Mt. Gilead UMC in Scott County and Mt. Hope UMC in Harrison County until June of 1974.

       Charles was a man of many talents, supporting his family while in school by doing remodeling work, installing aluminum siding, storm windows, and storm doors. He eventually opened a business called Lexington House of Fireplaces in Lexington, which later became Denger’s Woodburning Supply and then Denger's Hearth & Home.

       He participated in several mission trips during his adult life time including Columbia, South America, Italy,The Congo, Haiti, and volunteered at various mission projects in the U.S.

       He was active at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Lexington which now also operates under the name of Embrace Epworth Campus Methodist Church.  He became a member of Wilmore Free Methodist Church  when he moved to Wilmore.  

       He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Rachel Ann Denger; his brothers Lowell Denger, Art Denger, Kenneth Denger, and his sisters Norma Webb and Beverly Jefferies.   

       He was beloved by his three children: Mike (Jennifer) Denger of Wilmore; Laura (Eric) Fischer of Lexington; and Doug (Lian) Denger of Pittsburgh. He is also survived by his three Stepsons: Wayne (Leah) Hall of Nicholasville; Russell (Melodie) Hall of Wilmore; and Scott (Kristy) Hall of Wilmore. He was a wonderful grandfather to 12 grandchildren: Brian (Johanna) Denger, Charlie, Sarah, and Joe Denger, Dwight and Clark Fischer, Christian and Abbey Hall, Noah and Aaron Hall, and Caleb and Ben Hall, Wilmore. He delighted in his 3 great grandchildren: Carter, Cate, and Brinn Denger. He is survived by his brother, Don Denger, Greenfield, IN; a sister, Patricia Isles, Lebanon, OR; and many nieces and nephews.

       In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to  Bluegrass Care Navigators, 2312 Alexandria Dr., Lexington, KY 40504.

       The visitation and funeral will take place at the Wilmore Free Methodist Church; visitation on Friday, Sept. 7 from 4 - 7 pm; and the funeral on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 am. Burial will take place at Bluegrass Memorial Gardens on Harrodsburg Road at 12:30 pm.  Gash Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

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