Eugene R. Dahnke

Eugene R. Dahnke, age 90, of Grove City, died Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Mt. Carmel West Hospital after a short battle with cancer. He was born on May 23, 1928 in Sandusky, OH, one of five children born to the late Edward C. and Cora J. (Kahler) Dahnke. He was graduated from Sandusky High School in 1946, relocating to Columbus, OH in 1948. It was there that he met Pauline Utz, who became his wife on October 5, 1952. Theirs was a lifelong union, lasting until her death in 2009 after 56 wonderful years together.

"Gene" enjoyed a nearly 40-year career in business and finance working for: National City Bank (Bank One), The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), The Harrisburg Bank, Midland Mutual Insurance Co., and Trinity Lutheran Seminary as Director of Business Affairs from which he retired in 1990. He continued working in a fulfilling part-time position with Lutheran Outdoor Ministries for 22 years.

Gene was a faithful 60+ year member of Hope Lutheran Church, Columbus; and served the larger Lutheran Church in many capacities throughout his life. He had a great love for the arts, especially the musical arts, enriched by his wife Pauline and brother Paul. Gene loved life and always had a positive attitude. He gave strength and comfort to those around him through his generosity and ever-present smile. He had an innate nurturing ability, was kind and soft-spoken, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. He will be dearly missed by a host of friends and family, who loved him for his patient listening, good common sense, subtle humor, gentle demeanor and generous sharing.

Gene is survived by his beloved son, Mark of Columbus; his brother, Paul (Alea) of Huron, OH; his nieces Karen Roesch, Nancy (John) Kempton, Joanne Jeremay, Lisa (Bruce) Herber, Laura Dahnke all of Sandusky, OH and Sue Ford of Warsaw, IN; nephews, Thomas Ford of Norwalk, OH, Christopher (Debbie) Dahnke of Apex, NC and David (Georgia) Dahnke of Bean Station,TN, and many great-nieces and nephews, as well as special friends and caregivers, Donna Christensen, Paula Taliaferro, Tricia Bingham, Mary Marsh, Jada Dunwoody-Brent, Roger and Janet Chase. He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline, his parents, brothers Edward H. and Verne, and sister Mary Ford.

Friends may call from 5 - 8 pm Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN CHAPEL, 229 E. State Street, Columbus, OH 43215 and at 9:30 am Thursday, January 17, 2019 prior to the funeral service at Hope Lutheran Church, 820 Lilley Ave., Columbus, OH 43205 with Pastor Kurt Keljo officiating. Funeral service will begin at 10:30 am followed by a repast. Interment will be at 3:30pm at Attica Venice Cemetery, Attica, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 820 Lilley Ave., Columbus, OH. 43205; Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, 2199 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209; Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 16810 Columbus OH 43216-6810; Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio (LOMO) 863 Eastwind Drive Westerville, OH 43081; The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or Mount Carmel Hospice, 1144 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215.