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George Henning

Henning

George W. Henning, 95, of Marietta, Ohio, passed away peacefully with his adoring family by his side on Saturday, February 10, 2018. George was born on May 10, 1922, at Heslop, Lawrence Township, Ohio to Irvin and Katherine Marie Nau Henning.

George is survived by his sister, Helen Kazmer, of Cleveland, Ohio, and brother, John Henning of Charleston, West Virginia. He was extremely proud of his family of four daughters; Penny Passavant, Jan Hudspeth (John), Susan Smith (Dave), and Tina Payne (Carl), all of Marietta. He was ‘Papaw’ to five grandchildren, Jared Perrine (Abby), Christian Hudspeth (Moriah), Luke Hontz (Robin), Joseph Payne and Annabella Payne. George also had six great-grandchildren; Eden Perrine, Gryffin Perrine, Beren Perrine, Emery Hudspeth, Kenzie Smith and Lyanna Smith. George was preceded in death by his beloved wife , Helen, his parents and his older sister, Glenda Kuderna.

George graduated from Matamoras High School in 1939. Because his older sister wasn’t able to walk the long distance to school in the 1920’s alone, George walked with her at a very early age. With this early enrollment and double promotions, he then graduated high school at age 16.

After high school, he was employed locally by Aerolite and River Gas Co., and Goodyear in Akron. He graduated from Marietta Business School prior to enlisting in the Navy in 1942. He served in WWII on the aircraft carrier, USS Solomons. During his deployment, George was selected to attend St. Mary’s pre-flight training school in California to become a navy pilot. However, at war’s end, he chose to leave the Navy and return home to New Matamoras where he married his sweetheart, Helen Creighton, in 1948.

As the Postmaster for the small village of New Matamoras for 33 years, George knew from memory mailing addresses and box numbers for every resident. He was often known to go to the Post Office in the evening to retrieve a package or letter for a customer in need and daily raised and lowered the American flag with pride.

He was a member of the Matamoras Masonic Lodge No. 374 for 50 years, received his 70-year pin at the Marietta American Legion Post #64, and was a life member of the Marietta Veterans of Foreign Wars. George was a member of the Norwood United Methodist Church, and a former member of the New Matamoras United Methodist Church. He loved his vegetable gardens, taking long walks, and he especially enjoyed dancing with his wife, Helen, to the great sounds of the 1940’s.

As part of the “greatest generation”, George’s humble beginnings taught him austerity and simple living. He loved playing baseball and basketball as a young man, and as he aged enjoyed passing those competitive skills on to his girls. Everyone in the Henning family learned to play ping-pong when they could “see over the table”. George was nearly impossible to defeat. We especially enjoyed the sound of his laughter as he won nearly every game well into his 80’s. He was known to be an equally formidable Bridge opponent.

George used humor, kindness, old-fashioned common sense, and colorful expressions to teach his family about life. They continue to share that wisdom with their children, friends, and students so his light will continue to shine.

Funeral services will be held at the Hadley Funeral Home in Reno on Saturday, February 17th at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Matamoras Cemetery with military rites. A luncheon is being planned in Matamoras following the interment. Additional visitation will be held Friday evening, February 16th , 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Services at 8:00 p.m. following.

Because George touched so many lives, there will be a time during the funeral service to share a special memory aloud. Please join in the sharing time with a short recollection for all to enjoy.

Special thanks to our “Pines Assisted Living” friends, where Dad and Mom made their home until they were no longer able. And we extend a heartfelt thanks to our new Hospice friends who guided us through a very difficult time.

Online condolences may be made at www.hadleyfh.com.