Dennis Paul Kohlmeyer

| August 7, 2017

On Saturday, August 5th, Dennis Paul Kohlmeyer left behind the pains of this world for the journey home to his Heavenly father.

Born on March 25, 1946 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of Lucille (nee Longwell) and Paul Banjanin.

After the death of his father, his mother married Kenneth Kohlmeyer who adopted her two sons and moved the family to Van, Pa. to take ownership of the Shepherd of the Hills Restaurant and Motel.

Dennis graduated from Cranberry High School in 1964 where he played basketball and appeared in numerous plays.

He married his high school sweetheart on April 8, 1967, seven years to the day they met at a high school dance.

They were blessed with two beautiful daughters who brought sons-in-law and four grandsons, the greatest joy of his life.

Dennis worked in sales most of his career starting at Seigworth 7-up Distributors and probably best known for his years in the Sears appliance department.

His favorite job, however, was his last job working for his daughter as custodian at Next Step Therapy, Inc.

Dennis retired, reluctantly, in October 2016, due to health, after ten years of dedicated service.

When he first started the job, he was uncomfortable with special needs children.

By the time he left, “Mr. Dennis” was a grandfather figure to hundreds of children who passed through the Head Start, IU6 preschools, and out-patient therapy at Next Step.

He was fond of saying he loved his job because he got to work with beautiful women and play with children every day.

Dennis counseled every employee of Next Step Therapy at some point, and is sorely missed by the children, teachers, aides, and employees.

Dennis was an exceptionally devoted grandfather to his four grandsons, attending hundreds of baseball, basketball, and football games, in addition to choir and band concerts, and Christmas pageants.

He loved oldies music, historical non-fiction, and over fifty years of dirt tracking.

He was a familiar face at Lernerville and Tri-City Speedways and fortunate to attend the Iowa Nationals, the Pocono 500 and the Charlotte races.

In later years he discovered the joy of cruising, sailing to many tropical islands.

He was a member of the Seneca United Methodist Church and often traveled with his wife on her Sunday mornings.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rev. Clara (nee O’Neil) Kohlmeyer, his children, Tracy P. Cowles of Franklin and Vicky A. Hammer (David) of Allison Park, grandsons: Noah G. Cowles of WVU and Franklin, Elijah D. Cowles and their father, Gordon Cowles of Franklin; Jack D. and Cole B. Hammer of Allison Park; a brother James Kohlmeyer (Cheri) of Greenville, brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Darlene Brown of Polk, numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, father, step-father, his in-laws W. Glenn and Claribel ”Peg” O’Neil and a special great-nephew, Hunter Shaffer.

We expresses our gratitude to the many people who have supported him through his earthly journey and his family through his leaving: The Drs. Kahler, Dr. Fell, Dr. Poleio and the amazing staff at the UPMC Cancer Center, The wonderful staff on UPMC 3 South (and hospital support staff who fed and offered us comfort), VNA Hospice team, Community Ambulance EMTs, his Next Step Therapy family, those who never forgot Dennis and sent cards and encouragement, all who were faithful in keeping us in your prayers. Thank you.

At his request, there will be no viewing.

Arrangements will be made for his last cruise at the convenience of the family.

If Dennis has touched your life and you would like to remember him, pay it forward.

Remember those who help others: your local volunteer fire departments, Community Ambulance, Cranberry Food Bank, a missionary, etc. Or, better yet, go out and do a kindness for someone else, in his name.

The Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca, Cranberry Township is completing funeral arrangements, and condolences may be expressed online to Denny’s family by visiting www.hilebest.com.


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Category: Obituaries