Robert Lee Denton, of Warsaw, passed away surrounded by his loved ones at 5:47 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, at the age of 86. He was affectionately known by many as Red, because of his red hair in his youth, and many friends and family called him Bob.  
Robert was born on March 19, 1937, in Jay County, to Eva I. McClish Denton and Luther M. Denton. He was a 1955 graduate of Syracuse High School in Syracuse. After graduation, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May of 1955 and proudly served until his honorable discharge in November of 1958. While in the military he was stationed for three years in a hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he served as a flight surgeon assistant.
On May 29, 1963, he married Barbara Johnson Chiddister, they shared almost 22 years together before she passed away on Feb. 28, 1985. Robert was blessed again to have met someone new to share his life with. He married Sandra Sue Kain Banghart on Oct. 22, 1988, and would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this year.
Robert was a hard-working man his entire life, retiring after 31 years as a press operator from Western Rubber Company in Goshen. He was a quiet, reliable, simple man that enjoyed being a homebody. He always kept busy doing one thing or another and was always available whenever friends or family needed him. Robert enjoyed a good day fishing and of course he never could resist feeding the birds and the squirrels. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who will be dearly missed by those who loved him.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Sandra Denton, Warsaw; four sons: Foy (Teresa) Banghart, Mentone; Tim Banghart, Mentone; Frank (Rachel) Banghart, Mentone; Donald Chiddister, Goshen; and six daughters: Beth (Rick) Williams, Rochester; Penny Banghart, Warsaw; Katina (Jeremy) Robinson, Warsaw; Pam Shaffer, Angola; Michelle (Matt) McKee, Goshen; Tammie Denton, Warsaw. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren; brother, Francis (Sonia) Denton, Goshen; and two sisters, Ethel Weaver, Syracuse; and Carolyn Hapner, Syracuse.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Barbara; daughter, Kathy Alderfer; sister, Betty; and three brothers: James, Harold and Carroll.
Friends and family may visit from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will also be an hour of visitation prior to the service on Wednesday, from 10 to 11 a.m. Robert’s life will be celebrated with a service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor David Morgan. A graveside service will follow at Violett Cemetery in Goshen, with military rites conducted by active-duty members of the Air Force Honor Guard.
Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund, c/o K-21 Health Foundation, 1101 Park Ave., Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to Transitions Hospice, 2877 E Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.