‘Denny’ Dennis Dean Ayers

He was born in Roaring Spring, to late parents, Glenn C. Ayers, who passed on June 12, 1980, and Thelma G. (Brumbaugh) Ayers, who passed away on July 7, 2003. His childhood home was in Fredericksburg/Clover Creek, Pa. He was preceded in death by an older brother, Barry L. Ayers; and is survived by a sister.

He married Linda Marie (Summers) Ayers on Jan. 31, 1970. He is survived by his wife of 55 incredible years together.

Surviving are his two daughters, Sabrina R. Ayers Fisher and husband, Mark Fisher, of Queen Creek, Ariz.; Samantha R. (Ayers) Snowberger and husband, Russell Snowberger, of East Freedom; and two grandchildren, Sara R. and Levi G. Snowberger. Denny claims that he picked both of “his girls” names: one from the Archie Comics, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and the other from the TV sitcom Bewitched. In his own words he was “most proud of his daughters’ academic successes” with the eldest an attorney in Arizona and the youngest an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Denny was a 1966 graduate of Central High School, Martinsburg. On Jan. 15, 1968, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He did his basic training at Ft. Jackson, S.C. and AIT at Ft. Gordon, Ga. (March 1968 – May 1968). In June 1968, he was sent over to Vietnam, where he served his Country in the signal corps for 11 months and 27 days, returning home in June 1969. His in-country tour of duty included Bien Hoa, Ban Me Thuot, assigned to Pleiku in the Central Highlands area attached to the 1st Charlie Division, An Khe, and departure via Quy Nhon. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 15, 1970, with these military decorations: two O/S Bars, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sharpshooter Badge Rifle M14, Expert Badge Rifle M16, and Cold War Certificate. He earned the grade rank SP4 with the 414th Signal Corps.

Following his military service, he was employed with United Telephone of PA (later Sprint) for over 31 years from January 1970 to December 2001. He re-entered the workforce in 2005 and worked for various employers: Spherion, Dixson Electrical, Ritchey’s Dairy, and finally at Securitas as a security guard for Appleton Paper Mill for three years. As a youth he worked various jobs instilling in him a work ethic: Altoona Mirror Paper Boy (1962-66); Wineland Horse Farm (1963-66); two chicken farms at C. Shiver of Hickory Bottom and Forshey’s (1964-66); Cove Shoe Factory (1966); and Harvester silo building (1967).

Denny was involved in various groups throughout his life: Martinsburg Little League and Cub Scouts; Central High School Chess Club, Martinsburg Sportsman Club; Martinsburg Bowling League (1970-85); Relay for Life (1999-2012); Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association (2011); Vietnam Veterans of America Club (2012); Morrison Cove Blair County Republican Club; Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA Chapter #967) and supported Wreaths Across America.

He grew up spiritually in the Clover Creek Church of the Brethren, Fredericksburg, Pa.; upon marriage, he became a member of Mt. Pleasant United Church of Christ where he was involved with the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association and caretaker of the two cemeteries at Mt. Pleasant and Hickory Bottom, Martinsburg; and a current member of the Christ Church, Roaring Spring.

Denny was Head Softball Coach at Central High School for six years in the 1990’s and started the Middle School’s Softball team for girls. In the 1960’s through 1980’s, he played in the Morrison Cove Fast Pitch League as a pitcher and manager. He estimated he had “about” 100 wins pitching and over 100 home runs, although he always said there was no greater ball player than Roberto Clemente.

He enjoyed watching Penn State Football, Gunsmoke re-runs, and Curse of Oak Island with “Pewter Man” with his “top pocket Bobby Dazzlers finds.” His other past times were collecting baseball hats, reading about history, especially local history, scrapbooking, and putting puzzles together. He was known for giving out ornaments around the Christmas holiday to friends and family as he found immense joy in giving to others. He would often quote Acts 20:35 of the Bible when handing out the ornament treasures “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Family and friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Christ Church, 7524 Woodbury Pike, Roaring Spring, PA 16673.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the church, by the Rev. Dr. Joel Kletzing, followed by interment service with military honors at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Martinsburg/Millerstown, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Denny’s name to Lady Dragon Softball Boosters (Central High School Athletic Office); Wreaths Across America (wreathsacrossamerica.org/pampce); or the Duncansville VFW Military Food Share, 1665 Newry Lane, Duncansville, PA 16635.

Arrangements are by Leslie-Miller Funeral Home, Claysburg.

lesliemillerfuneralhome.com