Dennis L. Ainsworth, Sr.

Dennis L. Ainsworth, Sr., 72, passed away Monday, July 8, 2013, at his home in Ottawa, Kansas. Funeral Services will be held at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 12, 2013. Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Ainsworth at Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 A.M. Thursday, to the service hour where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Dennis was born Wednesday, January 1, 1941, in Ottawa, Kansas. He was the son of Glenn A. and E. Maxine Ainsworth. He was a lifelong Franklin County, Ottawa, resident. He graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1959, and continued his education at Emporia State University graduating in 1972, after military service, with a BS in Business. On January 2, 1999 Dennis was united in marriage with Fannie Baber in Ottawa, Kansas. She survives of the home. Also surviving are his three children, Virginia Baber, Mark Baber and Chasity Rice all of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Drake Leon Baber, Christopher Brian Baber, Kiersten Renee Baber, Joseph Wayne Keuchel, and Austin Michael Baber; brother, Harley W. Ainsworth and wife Dora of Ottawa; and several nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, and son, D.J. Ainsworth. He worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier for twenty-six years, retiring in 2003. He later drove a school bus and charter buses for USD 290 and Ottawa Bus Service for many years. Dennis served in the United States Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis as Sergeant earning numerous medals and ribbons. In the early 1960’s he flew to an undisclosed Air Force base with the crew that would have been the first wave of attack if war would have broken out. With top-secret clearance, Dennis hand delivered the actual war plans. He lived with the crew members as the only non-commissioned officer and served as the base commanding general’s aide during the 19 day crisis. The family suggests memorial contributions to Calvary Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.