Howard Hensley

Howard "Clif" Hensley, 84, of Centralia, Ill., passed away Thursday, July 15, 2010, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Centralia.

Howard was born July 17, 1925, in Fornfielt, son of Marshall and Eva Davidson Hensley. He married Helen Ekin Hensley Sept. 27, 1950, in East Moline, Ill.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Craig Hensley and wife Tammy of Centralia; a daughter, Diane Barnes and husband Jim of Centralia; five grandchildren, Jim Barnes and wife Katie of Wentzville, Mo., Jennifer Harnish and husband Marvin, Bridget Long and husband Shawn, Amy Hensley and Heather Schossler and husband Tom, all of Centralia; five great-grandchildren, Makaela Barnes of Wentzville, Olivia Downes and Cooper Harnish of Centralia, Shawn and Justice Long of Windsor, Sydnee and Larissa Hensley of Centralia, Sophia and Carter Schossler of Centralia.

Also three brothers, Jim Hensley of Benton, Mo., John Hensley of Cape Girardeau, Tony Hensley and wife Shirley of Benton; a sister, Becky Moore and husband Roy of Benton.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Lou Hensley, Anne Moore Vincent and Ruth Welker, two sisters-in-law, Hazel Hensley and Peggy Hensley; three brothers-in-law, Wilton Moore, Emmit Vincent and Rudy Welker.

Howard served in the Navy during World War II.

He retired as a chief engineer from Warren G. Murray Center in 1986. He was a member of Elks, Moose, VFW, and Unity Baptist Church in Benton. He loved to travel and loved his family.

Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until service time Sunday at Unity Baptist Church.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, with Dennis Lowe officiating.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Unity Baptist Church in Benton and/or "Big D" Relay for Life Team of Centralia.