Mahlon M. Denter, 95, of Wilton died Monday, April 24, 2017, at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tomah.
He was born Aug. 2, 1921, to William and Selma (Popp) Denter in Sparta. He grew up and helped farm in the Kinney Valley area between Wilton and Ontario.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Eastern European Theater. He was an aviation spotter for the artillery units and received the Purple Heart, the Air Medal for Bravery and Injury under fire. Mahlon rose to the officer rank of second lieutenant through battlefield commission.
He was united in marriage to Lorayne Anderson of Kendall on April 17, 1948, at Fountain Lutheran Church. To this union, three sons were born.
He farmed in the Wilton area for 30 years and sold agricultural seeds for Funk Seeds of Indiana. He also later established his own seed business and sold a variety of seeds to area farmers for many years.
In his youth, Mahlon was musically inclined. He learned to play the accordion and played with others at the many dance halls throughout the area. He also liked sports and played Kendall baseball in his youth.
Mahlon was civic minded and served on numerous organizations and boards: the Wilton Creamery, Wilton Grade School, St Paul’s Church Council, and Monroe County Board of Supervisors.
Mahlon enjoyed games of chance and could be found at many weekly pokers games or the casinos in the area.
He was a lifelong member of the Wilton Hanson-Stark-Leith-Paeth American Legion Post 508 and recently received his 70-year pin.
In addition to his wife of 69 years, Lorayne, he is further survived by three sons, Duane (LouAnn) of Clifton, Douglas (Cindy) of Salcha, Alaska, and David (Sonja) of Elroy; seven grandchildren, Darth Denter, Liz (Chris) Mehls, Josh Denter, Anna Denter, Dillon (Jessica) Denter, Jillian (Keith) Martin, and Jesana (Justin) Eckelberg; seven great-grandchildren, Devery and Dulcey, Ashton and Lillian, and Evalyn, Mackenzie, and Isaac; a brother-in-law, Allen (Marcella) Anderson of St. Louis; three sisters-in-law, Arlene Burch of Kendall, Bonnee Anderson of Tomah, and Pansy Anderson of Cayman Islands; and nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold, Harvey and Corwin; a sister, Esther Huschka; a nephew, Dennis; a niece, Jane; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 401 Mill St., Wilton. Pastor Kristin Wendland will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military honors by Hanson-Stark-Leith-Paeth American Legion Post 508.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday from 4–8 p.m. at St Paul’s Lutheran Church and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home of Wilton is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
