Melba Carolyn Denner

Melba Carolyn Denner, age 94, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024. She was born on August 6, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Henry and Eldora Hansen. Carolyn grew up on her family farm in Hilliard, Ohio. She graduated from Hilliard High School in 1948 and then attended Capital University, where she was on the May Court and a member of the tennis team. Carolyn worked for her family hardware business, Linden Hardware Co. She met her future husband and love of her life, Emil Denner, at the Myrtle Avenue Post Office in Linden. They married in 1951 and built their dream home together on Carolyn's family farm in Hilliard. Carolyn was the owner and operator for her family hardware businesses, Linden Hardware Co. and Westerville Hardware Co. She also worked for many years at the Standard Register Co.

Carolyn was a devoted and active member of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher, involved in many church organizations and held the distinction of the first female congregational president. She tutored children at Avery Elementary and Hoffman Trails Elementary in the Hilliard City Schools. Carolyn was also a member and leader in the Ohio Hardware Association and Linden Business Association; and supporter of Children's Hospital and of St. Jude Hospital. She was a cub scout, blue bird and campfire girl leader; and an avid golfer and member of numerous golf leagues. She loved artistic painting and quilt making.

Carolyn will be greatly missed by her children, James A. Denner (Katy), Janyce S. Gossard (Rodney) and John E. Denner (Nancy); grandchildren, Christy Dameron (Eric), Andrea Denner, Mark Denner (Allison), Jennifer Gossard Black (Andy), Adam Gossard, Ryan Denner (Alison), Amanda Denner Molchanow (Steven) and David Denner; and 17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Emil Denner; and brother, Richard Hansen, sister in laws, Rachael Griffith, Lydia Zangl, Erica Borgen, Rosemary Hansen, and brother in law, Arthur Denner.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 PM on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221. Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church-Mill Run Campus, 3500 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, with Pastor Paul Ulring officiating. Inurnment at Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, , https://www.ualc.org/give or Capital City Hospice, https://capitalcityhospice.com/donate/