Edward Hensley

Edward Lee Hensley, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born March 3, 1931, in Springfield, Mo., to Edward Robb and Lillian Lucille Inks Hensley. He first married Leona Brennecke in 1953. She preceded him in death. He then married Willie Caroline Crader on Feb. 14, 1976, at Lutesville, Mo.

Hensley was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

He was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, retiring as a master chief.

Hensley was a life member of the Fleet Reserve Association, VFW and American Legion. He was a member of Kiwanis, and a committee member and scoutmaster with Boy Scouts. He had worked at Noranda Aluminum, Southeast Hospital and Southeast Missouri State University.

Survivors include his wife, Willie Caroline Hensley; two sons, Douglas Edward Hensley and wife Ann of Monmouth, Ore., Steven Webster Crader and wife Lisa of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Diana Marie Tackett and husband Rick of Fort Meyers, Fla., Helen S. Heise and husband Jeff of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Mary Virginia Ritter of Mountain Home, Ark., Martha Carolyn Lyons of Oro Valley, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; a younger brother, Harold James Hensley; and an infant son, Terry Hensley.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Loren Boettcher and Mark Martin officiating.

Burial will be in Baker Cemetery at Marble Hill, Mo., with military rites conducted by Missouri Honor Guard and VFW Post No. 3838.

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