Oneita Denning

Oneita "Neita" Denning passed away January 28, quietly in her home with her loving children at her side. Oneita Anne Mary Burch was born in Kalamazoo July 7, 1927. She met and married Edwin "Bud" Denning in 1946. Neita and Bud enjoyed a storybook marriage for 69 years. Neita, Bud and their son Patrick operated Denning Upholstery in Kalamazoo for 45 years. When their children were small, Neita and Bud were avid square dancers. They had their own dance group, the Thunderbirds, who appeared often on Rem Wall's Green Valley Jamboree TV show. They enjoyed camping, and with their welding and pipe fitter buddies, built their own pop-up campers before they were available commercially. They loved nature, and built their dream home in Vicksburg next to a creek where they could feed and watch the wildlife. Neita and Bud's greatest joy was their family and friends. The Denning children had the best imaginable role models and their lives have been enveloped in loving kindness. Bud preceded Neita in death in 2015. Left with their love and legacy are their four children Michael (Debra), Patrick, Wendy (Glenn), and Jeffery (Laura); three grandchildren Eric (Luba) Stevens, Evan (Maranda) Labrecque, and Elizabeth (Jeff) Kramb; four great grandchildren; and three great, great grandchildren. They also leave behind special family friends Terry Milan and Sheila Bauman. Neita and Bud will be interred in a ceremony at Fort Custer on Monday June 24 at 10:30am. The day before, June 23, at 2-5pm, the Denning family will host a picnic at Milham Park, where, 45 years ago, the Thunderbirds used to meet for Sunday breakfast picnics. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan.