Dennis E. Schlabach

Dennis E. Schlabach, age 84, of Millersburg, Ohio passed away peacefully at his home,
surrounded by family and friends, on Thursday, October 21, 2021.
A Celebration of Life service will take place at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 26 th in the Baker
Building at Harvest Ridge, Millersburg, Ohio with Pastor Janet Boyd officiating. Burial will be at
Oak Hill Cemetery, Millersburg, Ohio. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 pm Monday at
Harvest Ridge.
Dennis was born in Berlin, Ohio on May 31, 1937 to Eli D. and Arie (Schlabach) Schlabach.
Dennis treasured his childhood years at the family farm near Mt. Hope, but realized at an early
age he didn’t enjoy farming enough to make it his life’s work. As a young adult he had several
jobs, including working at a meat processing plant, driving a bread truck and washing cars at
Village Motors. He was selling cars when he met Emanuel Mullet of Wayne Door and (cliché
but true) the rest is history! He joined Wayne Door as a salesman in 1960 and began a
successful career in the Garage Door Industry; an industry in which he achieved professional
and personal triumphs and most importantly, where he made life-long friendships.
Dennis was an entrepreneur, a business man, a motivational speaker…. above all, he was a
good and decent person. His customers knew they could depend on his honesty and integrity,
his ability to follow through and serve their needs, and a good joke or two when he called at
their business.
An active member of the International Door Association, he served on the Board of Directors,
tirelessly promoting the Association by recruiting new members, and was a founding
contributor to the IDA Scholarship Fund. Dennis was generous with his time, sharing ideas and
strategies, and mentoring those new to the industry. He wrote and produced a program
specifically targeted at door dealerships “Successful Business Images.” He shared this message
with his customers throughout the Mid-West. Dennis truly believed and often said “I’ll be a
success if I help others succeed.”
When he retired from Wayne Dalton, he focused on expanding Denco Marketing, a wholesale
distributor of garage door supplies. Under Dennis’ leadership Denco grew from two employees
to a staff of 27. Each of them works daily to uphold Dennis’ vision for Denco, “Always go
beyond the expectation of our customers and every day strive to fulfill our promise to be
responsive and responsible to everyone we do business with.”
Dennis was a loving husband, dad, grandpa/papa and friend. He enjoyed golfing and traveling
and he was a life long Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan. He was an eleven-year-old
the last time the Indians won a national championship, but he never gave up the hope they

would do it again! He spent many Sunday afternoons cheering on the Browns, never leaving
the stadium (or his living room) until the last second ticked off the clock. He deeply loved his
children and grandchildren, and shared a special bond with his great granddaughter, Sophie.
He enjoyed attending school events, especially band and music programs, and it was a great
joy to watch them grow up. His children knew they could depend on him for encouragement
and support, and they valued his opinion. He always knew what to say, he gave the best advice
and he could send a clear message with just a look.
Dennis and Kathy are fortunate to have many special friends, with whom they made great
memories …. on the golf course and off. Dennis loved golf trips with the Myrtle Ducks, he was
an expert at choosing just the right thing for the annual tacky gift exchange and he was known
for his good humor and quick wit.
Dennis was blessed to spend 41 years with his devoted wife. They’ve had many adventures
with friends and family, from golf trips and door shows to beach-house vacations, and road
trips where Dennis did all the driving. They navigated the Parkinson’s journey together, never
giving up, always doing their best to stay together for as long as possible. Their love continues
to inspire their children and grandchildren to “love your family, be a good friend and make
good memories.”
He will be remembered by his wife Kathy (Miller) Schlabach, children Steve (Trang) Schlabach,
Bobbie (Dale) Wells, Aemie (Bob) Sigler, grandchildren, Jim (Kelly) Wells, Clay Wells, Cole
Wells, Aerie Schlabach-Green (Steve), Frankie Schlabach, Sumney Sigler, Mia Sigler, Great-
Granddaughter Sophie Wells, sister Mary (Roman) Troyer, brother-in-law Dan R. Miller,
Mother-in-law, Ruth Miller, sisters-in-law Norma Threet, Maxine Carter and Mary Moder,
many nieces and nephews, his wonderful friends Judy Clark, Ken and Pam Mohler, Junior and
Liz Vaughn, special care-givers Dottie Morris and Hadley Kamenik, and his entire Denco family.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his sister, Lydia Ann Miller, nephew
Dennis Miller, brothers-in-law Dick Carter, Jim Moder and Bobby Threet as well as his good
friend Carl Clark.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dennis’ name may be made to the Dennis and Kathy
Schlabach Scholarship, in care of The Holmes County Education Foundation, 114 N. Clay Street
Millersburg, Ohio 44654.
Dennis’ family wishes to thank the staff of Walnut Hills Nursing Home and Lifecare Hospice of
Wooster for the kind and compassionate care he received while in their care.

Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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