« Return to Obituaries | Print
Funeral: 1 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Powers Cemetery, Xenia
Joe Denton, age 79, of Clay City, Illinois, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, March 27, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family.
A funeral service for Joe Denton will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will be in Powers Cemetery, Xenia, and military honors will be presented. A visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Joe’s memory may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted through the funeral home.
Joe is survived by his wife: Vera Denton of Clay City; children: Joel Denton (wife Holly) of Flora, Tammy Foster (husband Kevin) of Olney, and Kelly Denton of Effingham; 5 grandchildren: Rachel (Shane) Walker, Ben (Ashton) Denton, Matthew (Amanda) Monical, Kalin Monical, and Jesse Denton; 5 great-grandchildren: Kamry Austin, Eli Walker, Dani Denton, Harper Denton, and Makayla Monical; a sister: Catherine Cunningham of Flora; several in-laws including: Dixie Young and Larry Workman; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson: Schyler Monical; 3 brothers: Hershell, Dale, and Gary Denton; and 2 sisters: Mary Smith and Lois Payne.
They say many times in life that people of small stature are possessors of the largest of souls, and in the case of Joe Ben Denton, this is true. He was a man who has stuffed a whole lot of living in the 79 years he roamed the earth. Born July 25, 1937, in Clay County, to Ben and Nola Denton, he was the 3rd son of a 3rd son, and began his life in dirt poor conditions as did most folks in those days with the stench of the Great Depression still lingering in America. He saw WWII come and go as a child and entered the Army himself in the 1950’s and was based in Monterey, CA, at Fort Ord. He married the love of his life, Vera Christine Brown, on June 2, 1959. He became the father and hero of 3 children from 1960-67.
Joe Denton always had a twinkle in his eye, a joke on his lips, and a story to share. He scuba-dived and panned for gold in the American River, rode motorcycles up and down Hwy 1 in California, raced stock cars, motorcycles, crashed derby cars for years, and wrecked more vehicles than most people ever own in their lifetime. He has owned the same truck, motorcycle and house for more than 50 years, and kept the same wife for even longer than that.
He began early in life tinkering with cars and motors and such with the guidance of an older brother and his sister’s husband, George Smith (“Smitty” as he was called), who taught him how to fix a car as well as drive it hard and fast. He was a fair and honest man, who with less than a high school diploma, developed and created his own successful business, J. Denton Auto and Truck Salvage, and for years was known in Clay County and surrounding areas as the man with the purple wrecker. Through that business, he provided well for his family and established a legacy with the famous “purple pickup” which he loved to show off in the local parades for years. The color purple will forever be synonymous with the name of Joe Denton in Clay County.
Later in his 50’s, Joe proudly gained his high school diploma through a GED course and marked that accomplishment off his to-do list. He was a man who loved to have fun, laugh, and make others laugh; he has always been one to grab the bull by the horns. Loving most types of music from Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, and Elvis Presley to his favorite hymn Amazing Grace, he taught himself how to play the harmonica. One of his favorite tunes to play is Red River Valley and has been known to have played an Irish tune on many occasion as the love of his life danced the Irish Jig as he looked on with a twinkle in his eye.
He became the grandpa of 6 adorable grandbabies between the years of 1981-1998, the oldest of which has blazed the trail to heaven and whom anxiously awaits him on the other side. He is adored by all of his grandchildren, and now, his 5 great-grandchildren, all of whom he enjoys greatly. Yes, this great man was full of passion and zeal, excitement and enthusiasm, had a deep fervency for life and grit in his gut. He was a lover of nature, and enjoyed being outside, identifying trees and birds and imitating bird calls of all types. He had a spirit of an explorer, a discoverer, a treasure hunter, and a creative and imaginative heart. He loved to write poetry, metal detect, and loved the sun shining on his face. Yes, Joe Ben Denton was a big soul and has left his giant footprint on this world for a long, long time! Just as a beautiful sunset leaves and afterglow long after the sun has actually set, so will Joe Ben Denton’s life indelibly burn an amazing, fiery, colorful streak across the beautiful land of the living for generations to come!
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
May 31, 1946 - Apr 20, 2024
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
Vera, so sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss!!
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers with you all.
Thoughts and prayers!!
So sorry, prayers. I always liked Joe, he always spoke to me and we alwaus talked cars.
I cant remember a time while growing up in Clay City when Joe wasnt around and up to something. I am very sorry for the Denton familys loss. RIP Joe!
So sorry Vera for your loss. His obituary was poetic.
Joes was a friend to all an he will be missed.
Rest in Peace neighbor. You will be missed by many.
Our thoughts and prayers to the family
My thoughts and prayers. Joe will truly be missed. He truly was a great man.
So sorry to hear this,Vera and family. Joe was a great guy.
Sorry for the family loss
Deepest sympathies to your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May the good Lord wrap his loving arms around you during the difficult days ahead. Much Love to you all.
Sorry for your loss
We will miss you neighbor!
Vera and Denton family I am so sorry for your loss. I have known Joe all my life and can't imagine this world without him in it. He will most definitely be missed. My heart breaks for all of you. May he R.I.P Prayers for his family and many friends.
Vera and family, we are sorry to hear of your loss. It is always so hard to let go of the one that you love so much. We ask God to bring you comfort and strength as you go through this difficult time.
Such a profound obituary....and fit Joe to a "T". RIP my friend.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family
My condolences to you Vera and all of your family. Joe was one of a kind. I always enjoyed talking with him, he never failed to speak or be friendly. He will be sadly missed in all of Clay and I am sure many other areas.
Vera sorry for you and your family's loss of a husband and father. Will always remember Joe's jokes and his style of telling them. Joe loved life and always placed family first over everything. He will be missed by his many friends but will never be forgotten.
Vera and all the Denton family.Our hearts go out to all of you.May God comfort all of you during this time and each and every day after. RIP neighbor daddy,love you
We are blessed to have known such an amazing man through our friendship with Rachel and Shane. We will forever cherish the laughter around the bonfire this fall and talking politics with Joe. Rest in peace beautiful soul.
He will be greatly missed!! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. .hugs
What a beautiful story his life has been. I have heard stories of Joe all my life. I'll be sure to tell my Mother Thelma ( Sis) Sharp Fry. We pray for comfort and peace for the family! Enjoy all your memories keep a smile on your face and laughter in your heart when you think of him. I know I shall.
OH! We are so glad that we have all been blessed by knowing you all as a family!There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away Revelation 21.4 We love you Miss Vera and family! All of us Parkers!
So sorry for your loss. God bless each and everyone. Hugs and prayers.
Tammy and family what an honor it must have been to have a father that was so outgoing and caring, just reading the story here makes me wish I had got to meet him Brad knows your daddy. We are so sorry for your loss.
My sympathy and prayers go out to the Denton family. I remember my dad (Jesse Ryker) bringing us out there to get parts and visit way back in the days of old. May God bless you and keep you, and give you strength through this time of need.
Vera so sorry for your loss enjoyed being around Joe
To the entire Denton family , our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Joe's obituary is a very loving tribute to the man he was. God bless.
What a beautifully written memorial to a great man! Love you guys and I'm thinking of you each moment. We will see you on Thursday or Friday.
Vera, we are so sorry to hear the passing of your husband Joe. The description of him sounds like he enjoyed a full life with lots of love for his family. You and your family are in our prayers as you go through this difficult time. May God be with you and comfort you.
My heartfelt condolences to Vera and all the family at the passing of a "larger than life" man. I will always remember his big smile and jovial personality! Loved his fish&turtle frys and his awesome genuine love for family. While a part of the Denton clan I always looked forward to time spent with Joe and Vera. Although the years and miles have changed many things I believe love he had for life and family will be his legacy. God Bless you all.
Vera, so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
This is a beautiful obituary and tribute to Joe.The smile in his picture is the same smile he always had when we saw him. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Sad to say goodbye to my childhood friend Joe. We grew up together and I have many fond memories of us together. You will be sadly missed my friend. Until we meet again...
So sorry for your loss, may you find comfort and peace at this time.
We are sorry for your lost, may God be with you and your family.
I didn't know your dad except what you told me and it's sounds like he was a good dad. One thing I know Tammy he raised a good daughter and that tells a lot. I'm sorry know you will miss him. But the other side of the story is Skylar was excited to see him.
I worked at Knapps when I was in college, and sure loved to see Joe's smile enter in. He was always good for a joke or a sweet story.
Vera and family we are so sorry for your loss. Joe was the sweetest and kindess man anyone could ever meet. He knew no strangers, just friends he hasn't met yet. He will truly be missed. God Bless you all. Prayers to you and your loving family. R.I.P Joe. We will truly miss your smile and laughter.
Our thoughts and prayers go with you and your family, what a great guy!
So sorry for your loss
I'm so sorry for your loss, Vera. His obituary is lovely and lends a peek in to who your wonderful husband was. Many blessings to you and your family.
Vera and family. Sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Joe was always there if you needed him You could count on him, a rare quality. A good man indeed. Praying for your family.
Joe was a friend of mine several years ago. Always happy & had a smile for all. So sorry to hear of his passing but know he will bring happiness in heaven. Till we meet again dear fruend.
Our thoughts & prayers are with the family in your time of sorrow. May God bless & keep you.
I really enjoyed conversations with Joe and learned a lot from him. Heck, I still remember his phone number. He leaves a imprint on people.
I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember his derby car days with Neil Eaton. And his color Purple!!! He let my sister Nancy drive his car in the powder puff and she won after he had won. He had front wheel drive rare then. He was a great man
Sorry for your lost!! Praying for the family!!!!❤🙏
Dear Denton Family: I'm truly sorry for your loss. As you can imagine, I've read many obituaries in my lifetime, & I have to tell you...this is one of the most descriptive, well-written, celebrations of a person's life that I've ever read. Rest in healthy peace, Joe. I mourn your loss from afar, & send prayers of comfort to each family member. Love, ~Celia~
So sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences to the family. Joe was my friend all of my life, and a permanent fixture in the Clay City area. The man sure loved the color PURPLE.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
