Lynn Leslie Denton, 64, aka Meadowlark in the mine, was called to the Lord on October 29, 2012, while at Ft. Meade VA Medical Center.

On March 8, 1948, the first "naughty little boy" Lynn Leslie was born to Evelyn and Leslie "Ted" Denton in Hot Springs, SD. He attended grade school in Boulder Canyon then moved to Billings Street in Lead where the family grew up. He graduated from Lead High School in 1966. Upon graduating, he entered the US Navy, following in his father's footsteps. He was stationed at San Diego, CA, and Barbers Point, HI. A highlight that Lynn remembered well was the filming of the movie Tora Tora. He was then stationed at the Aleutian Islands in Adack, AK. During this time, he was sent to Vietnam, and the Philippines. After honorably and proudly serving in the Navy, he was honorably discharged on December 7, 1969.

Lynn returned to his job in the Assay office at Homestake Mining Company, and that is when he met the love of his life, Mary Katherine Mettler, in 1970. They were married November 27, 1971, in one of the largest snowstorms of all times. They had their first child, Heather Lynn, on March 26, 1973, and a son, Justin Leslie, on August 17, 1977.

Once again in 1973, Lynn decided to serve his country again, joining the National Guard 842nd Rock Crushing Crew based out of Lead, SD. He served 15 years for a total of 18 years of service. In 1977, he changed jobs in the mine from Assay to Electrical to Safety and then back to the Electrical Dept., for a total of 31 years. He loved the mine, and he loved the people he worked with playing practical jokes! He then retired from the mine after sustaining a severe electrocution. Upon retiring, Lynn loved and enjoyed cooking meals for the Masons, driving Shriner's children to the hospital, and playing in the Oriental Band. He had become a Mason because of his interest in the helping of his daughter and the other girls of Jobs Daughters. He was quite the cake decorator and known for his "risqué" cakes for the miners! He adored his pets, and loved driving his old Willys jeep with Sadie and Gilbert, his favorite basset hounds. He also had several cats that he loved to pester, but all of the pets had a good home with Lynn! Lynn will always be remembered for his Booney Hats, funny t-shirts, and fake finger that was used to "count change" with. He was quite the practical jokester--you had to love him for his sense of humor, and upon seeing Lynn you either had a smile on your face or he was leaving with a smirk of accomplishment on his!

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Leslie "Ted" Denton; his father-in-law, Vern Mettler; a nephew; several aunts; uncles; and cousins.

Survivors are his wife of 42 years, Mary Katherine Mettler Denton of Lead; daughter, Heather Lynn Cook (Chester) of Vernal, Utah; and son, Justin Leslie Denton (Amy) of Rapid City, SD. He had a very special in his heart for granddaughter, Ashley Cook and grandsons, Derik Albrecht and Garrett Denton. Also surviving are two brothers, Terry (Sandy) of Story, WY, and Kirby of Lead; an aunt, Violet Wellman of Andover, SD; and an uncle, Harvey Lancaster of Custer, SD.

Family and close Friends are invited to Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis on Thursday, November 1st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be Friday, November 2, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood with Rev. David Baer and special friend, Pastor Jeff Sackett, officiating. Inurnment will take place at BH National Cemetery with Military and Masonic Burial Rights at 3:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow at the VFW in Deadwood.

Memorial donations may be sent in care of Kinkade Funeral Chapel, 1235 Junction Ave., Sturgis, SD 57785.