William F. DENKEWALTER

News Death Notice

DENKEWALTER, William F. 45 of Urbana, passed away, Wednesday, September 17, 2014 in Mercy Memorial Hospital after a multiyear battle with kidney cancer. Born March 31, 1969 in Columbus, Ohio, Bill was a son of the late Dr. Fred R. and Maurine B. Denkewalter. He married Jeanie J. Dzuro on August 12, 1995 and together they have a daughter, Faith Raegan Denkewalter. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters, Fred R. (Jane) Denkewalter Jr., Lisa D. (Michael) Fetter, J. Kurt Denkewalter, Lori K. Denkewalter, multiple nieces and nephews and special friend, Sam Rodriguez. Bill graduated from Catholic Central High School, Wittenberg University with a B.A. and the University of Toledo College of Law with a Juris Doctorate. He was engaged in the private practice of law since 1996, when he returned to his beloved Champaign County after completing his education. He co-owned West Central Ohio Title Agency as well as Monument Square Motors, pursing his love of trading in motor vehicles. Most recently, Bill practiced law with Harris, Myer, Heckman & Denkewalter LLC, Urbana. Bill was active in the Champaign County community, believing deeply in the lessons of his parents taught him that one never finishes "paying rent" to the community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree member of the Urbana Chapter 1727 and Fourth Degree member of the Monsignor Buckley Assembly in Springfield. He was on the Board of Trustees of Champaign Residential Services, Inc. Formerly, Bill served as a Trustee and President of the Urbana Foundation, member and President of the Urbana Rotary Club, member and President of the Champaign County Arts Council, Trustee and Vice-President of the Urbana University Foundation and Trustee and Vice-President of the Cancer Association of Champaign County. Finally, from time to time, Bill served as an advocate for hospice patients in arranging their final legal matters. Bill was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. A gathering of family and friends will be from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2014 in the Vernon Funeral Home, Urbana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Urbana, celebrated by Rev. Father Clarence Heis and Rev. Timothy West. The family requests that memorials may be made to benefit the Knights of Columbus, council 1727, 518 N. Locust St., Urbana, OH 43078 and to the Community Mercy Hospice 444 W. Harding Rd., Springfield, OH 45504. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com