Grover Denton

GROVER "MIKE" DENTON

Brandon

Grover G. "Mike" Denton, 86, of Brandon, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at the ABCM Rehabilitation Center's West Campus in Independence, Iowa, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mike was born on July 24, 1928, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Thomas H. and Hazel (Kitchen) Denton. He was raised in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Wilson High School in 1946. While in high school, Mike developed his strong work ethic by delivering The Cedar Rapids Gazette. He began his career as a foundry man, working for the Cory Aluminum Co. in Marion, Iowa. His career spanned over 60 years, including foundries in Marion, Manchester and Monticello, Iowa.

In 1972, Mike and his wife, Ann, founded the Denton Castings Co. in Brandon, Iowa. Mike officially retired in 2010 after 63 years in the foundry business.

In 1946, Mike met his wife of 63 years, Ann Buess, while both were members of a dance band performing in Eastern Iowa. They were married on Aug. 10, 1947, at St. James Church in Cedar Rapids.

Mike was an avid fisherman and enjoyed all types of car races. He and his wife, Ann, attended the Knoxville Nationals every summer for 30 years.

He is survived by three children, Pat (Dave) Heusmann, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Mike (Deb) Denton, Jesup, Iowa, and Tom Denton, Brandon, Iowa; three grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ann, in 2011; and a sister, Uvohn Lerch.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, Iowa, with the Rev. Scott Meador officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Brandon Cemetery.

To leave an online condolence, please go to www.reifffuneralhome.com under obituaries.