Denny Renier

Dennis J. Renier, 80, of Crooked Lake in Angola, and formerly of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Hospice Care at Parkview Randallia Hospital. Denny was born in Fort Wayne on October 29, 1942 to (the late) Bernard O. and M. Eileen (Gerardot) Renier. He graduated from New Haven High School with the Class of ’61 and in 2019 was inducted into the New Haven Athletic Hall of Fame for his participation in the 1960 Cross Country team. Sports played a huge role throughout his life. Denny proudly served active duty in the US Navy on the USS Dixie during the Vietnam Conflict for 2 years. He met his wife, Joann I (Koch) Renier at New Haven High School where they both attended. They married on May 21, 1966, surrounded by family and friends. Denny began working at Bankers Life and Casualty as an insurance agent that kick-started his over 4-decade career in the insurance industry. His success was rooted in honesty, a caring approach and diligent hard work.  His passion for coaching was evident during his 30+ year career as a girls’ basketball coach for St. Henry Catholic School and Bishop Luers High School. He had a winning High School record of 339 wins and 104 losses and contributed to winning 5 State Championships. He made a profound, lifelong positive impact on a great many student athletes.  Denny was an excellent and avid golfer who loved playing for $2 bets with his friends, many of whom he had for 3 and 4 decades. Later in his golf career he succeeded in getting a hole in one, a goal he had for a long time. In addition to golf, he also enjoyed living the lake life with his family and friends. Denny bore many titles: husband, dad, Boppy, brother and coach. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joann Renier and he was very proud of his two daughters, Angie (David) Wagner of Wilkinson IN, and Mindi Renier of Fort Wayne. His biggest fans were his grandchildren, Spencer and Payton Ehle, both of Fort Wayne. He is also survived by his brothers, Ron Renier and Thomas (Ann) Renier, both of New Haven; sister Rita (Ron) Girardot of Fort Wayne and sister-in-law, Kathy Renier of The Villages FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard Renier. Mass of Christian Resurrection is 11:00am Friday June 2, 2023 in St. Louis Besancon Catholic Church, 15535 Lincoln Hwy. East, New Haven. Burial in Catholic Cemetery with graveside committal service at 2:00pm Friday. Visitation is from 4-7pm Thursday June 1, 2023 at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bishop Luers High School. To share a remembrance of Denny or to offer condolences to his family, please visit divinemercyfuneralhome.org.