Daniel W. "Cork" Renicker

Daniel W. “Cork” Renicker, age 79, of Gnadenhutten, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Ohio’s Hospice Truman House in New Philadelphia, with his loving family by his side.

Born April 17, 1945, in Dennison, he was a son of the late Sherman and Verna (Kappler) Renicker. Cork graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Dennison, and went on to serve honorably with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He married the former Sheila Corpman, who survives, on April 1, 1978. Cork was employed for years by Stocker Trucking in Gnadenhutten, from which he retired.

Cork was an avid gardener, hunter and fisherman. In his younger years, he would trek to Canada with friends for primitive camping and fishing. In more recent years, he fished with his daughter, Lucretia, who stocked the private pond on the farm she shares with her husband; they spent long summer days enjoying quite a few laughs, pranks, fish stories and quiet moments. The pair had many largemouth bass and crappie tournaments, they competed for the largest catfish, and even included some snapping turtles in their pursuits. Their fishing pond was christened the “Poppy Pond” after the nickname Cork was given by his granddaughter and used by all the grands thereafter; he will forever be known as the Bassmaster on that pond. 

Cork also had a lifelong passion for baseball. He began playing on his father’s team as a little leaguer and into adulthood where he played Class A baseball. He followed the Cleveland Guardians closely as well as his grandsons’ baseball pursuits. Cork prized the autographed home run game balls from those youth travel games and displayed them like they were from the MLB. He road-trekked with the boys throughout Ohio and the southeast, creating a few rituals like Waffle House for breakfast on game days. 

He enjoyed Yahtzee, Texas Hold 'Em and other card games and had a fantastic memory, which was not a good sign if you were his opponent, since he knew what cards were played and who played them.  Cork had a knack for remembering details of everything from the no-hitter / home run little league game he played on his mother’s birthday when he was 12, to current day details like MLB stats or the plays made during his grandson’s games. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball rules and had a very keen eye for the plays. Cork was known to give quiet but sage advice from the sidelines to his grandson (and even to the coach, who really got a kick out of that). He kept meticulous records of his endeavors and maintained detailed accounts of a variety of things such as a running tally of the biggest fish caught and the highest Yahtzee score (of all time calculations). 

Cork was also a tinkerer around the house and was famous for fixing about anything with duct tape, or at least that was always considered a suitable tool in his toolbox. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday closely followed by Christmas. He always wanted to know how big the turkey was and how it was going to be cooked.  Cork had a superstition that it was good luck to put money out in the fresh air on New Year’s Eve; that the fresh air ensured prosperity for the owner in the next year. He would put money out for all his family each year (earmarked of course). His family would be reminded to do so as well. Cork was so proud of this family and wanted to be a part of everything, and they enjoyed it as much as he did. He didn’t know much about horses or horse jumping, but there he was driving many hours to see it in real time, sitting in the first row of the stands watching it go down as his granddaughter went for the big-time jumps, in awe of it all.  

He enjoyed traveling to Florida during winters after he retired, spending time with daughters Allison and Anjenette and grandchildren there, fishing and hunting and maybe entering a card tournament or two, making it to the final tables at places like the Hard Rock Casino. 

Like many long relationships that withstand the test of time, Cork and Sheila were the Yin and Yang that just fit together, while being very different people. They loved and supported each other even in the toughest times, and were always on the same page as a united force. They each gave more than they took and their separate strengths and weaknesses made them a whole.  Cork was a friend to many people and had a sharp sense of humor that took folks a minute to realize wasn’t grumpy, but once they knew they had a lot of fun with him.  Many many people admired him and considered him a good friend, one who was always willing to help and had a kind heart for all. 

Our Dad and Poppy has created a legend in our family that we will never forget.  His wisdom and sense of humor and funny stories will be remembered and shared for generations to come.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Sheila; his daughters, Lucretia (Dan) Sherer of New Philadelphia, Anjenette Renicker of Springhill, Florida, Allison (Lee) Pelletier of Bell, Florida, and Mia (Eric) Mounts of Jackson Township, Stark County; his eight grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews.