Joseph T. Dehner Jr.

Joseph T. Dehner, Jr., 84 of Harrisburg, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at home with his wife, Nancy, by his side.

He was born on March 12, 1941 in Chester, PA to the late Joseph T. Dehner, Sr. and Agnes M. (Larkin) Dehner. He was raised and educated in the Eddystone and Philadelphia area and attended Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University) where he was captain of his basketball team. While there, he also coached youth basketball and football.

Joe also served in the United States Navel Reserve (USNR-R) during high school and college until he was honorably discharged in 1961.

After relocating to the Harrisburg area, he continued in his lifelong love of sports and the outdoors by coaching midget football for the Paxton Athletic Association and as a founding member of the Swatara Midget Football Association. He was a member of the Harrisburg Hunters and Anglers, Central PA Anglers, and president of the "Old Mill Hunting Club." He was a member of the Shriners, Blue Lodge, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon.

He retired from AMP, Inc. after 30 years of service and was a Deputy Constable for the State of Pennsylvania for 18 years. He was a licensed PA Auctioneer, appraiser and real estate facilitator and in his spare time enjoyed renovating and reselling houses with his friend Ric. Joe also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.

Joe and Nancy embarked on numerous adventures over the years including traveling to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, panning for gold in the Cosa Rican jungle, hiking the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, visiting the Grand Canyon, seeing Orca Whales in Nova Scotia, catching sail fish off the coast of Key West, hiking a glacier in Alaska and Alligator hunting in the swamps of Florida. The latter was filmed for an episode on the Discovery Channel.

Never one to sit still, in his spare time he enjoyed making jewelry, woodworking, and spending time at the gym with friends. Other cherished personal time was spent watching Notre Dame football, and "playing it safe" by routing for both the Eagles and the Steelers.

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Nancy (Machamer) Dehner, his son, Joseph T. Dehner, III and his wife, Lynn of Middletown, a sister Kathryn Snyder of Darby and a granddaughter, Amelia Crawn, of Harrisburg.

"Big Joe" with his sage-like qualities, was a mentor to many, friends and family alike. He will be remembered for his quick wit, hardy laugh and his inane talent for giving great advice…whether you asked for it or not! While physically imposing at 6'4", one would know that they met him. If the grandeur he is remembered for is that of his heart, one will know that they knew him.

Funeral services will be private for the family.

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Donations in Joe's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.