September 10 1922 August 12 2019
Leroy’s Obituary Leroy O. Hensley, 96 of Rantoul, passed away peacefully at 12:55 a.m. Monday, August 12, 2019, at Country Health Nursing Home, Gifford. A visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday, August 16, 2019, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E Pells Street, Paxton with Masonic rites at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Rantoul with Military Honors by Rantoul American Legion Post 287. Leroy is survived by two daughters, Linette Albers of Rantoul, Deborah Hensley of LaPorte, Indiana; a grandson, Todd (Angie) Albers of St. Joseph; sisters-in-law, Ann Knach of Hoffman Estates, Margaret Cornwell of Georgetown and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary Catherine, two sons-in-law, Duane Albers and Faustino Hernandez; sister, Winifred Mae and a brother Harmon Oliver. Leroy was born on September 10, 1922 at home in Westville the third child to Olin Vern and Hazel Cravens Hensley. Leroy attended the first grade in Westville and his parents sold the family home and bought land east of Westville. Leroy then attended a one room school (Jenkins) and often bragged that he was never worse than second in his class for six years. There were only two in his class. Upon graduation he attended Westville High School. He played in the orchestra and band for four years and was Drum Major his senior year. He was also in the chorus, plays, debating team and was chosen for the school honor society (Owls) his junior and senior years. While in high school he met Mary Wargo and it was love at first sight for both of them. Upon graduation he attended Danville Business School for four months and was then employed in Vermilion County Highway Department for one year. He was then hired by the Army Air Force at Chanute Air Force Base. In November 1942 he entered the active air force and after basic and technical training was assigned to Santa Anna Army Air Base. He returned home in 1943 and while on leave he and Mary were married August 14, 1943. While there he worked as a Supervisory Administrative Inspector and during his last year instituted and supervised the creation of the Base Archives which was to select historical document from Base organizations to be retained as a record and history of the squadrons, groups, headquarters, training other activities in preparation of the inactivation of the installation. He then transferred to Camp Pinedale, California as part of a cadre being formed to go into the South Pacific. Camp Pinedale was a former detention camp for Japanese families interred by the United States after the Pearl Harbor attack. While there the war with Japan ended and he was transferred to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho to assist in organizing and operating a separation center for personnel being discharged. He was discharged in November 1945. He then returned to employment at Chanute Air Force Base. After 5 years at Chanute, he transferred to Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, California to assist in the organization of Logistics activities. After 5 years he returned to Chanute as the M&S Group Material Officer. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his management of Secretary McNamara’s’ Cost Reduction Program. Chanute had the best and most productive program of Installations of similar size. He then received another Air Force Commendation Medal for his accomplishments as Chief, Logistic Division, Resource Management Group. He eventually retired as Chief, Plans and Programs Division in 1980. Leroy was active in Rantoul functions. He was a member of the committee that wrote the first Village Zoning Ordinance and served on the Zoning Appeals Board several years; most of them as Chairman. He was Past Master of the local Masonic Lodge, served as Governor of the Rantoul Moose Lodge, was District Vice President and a member of the State Board for 12 years where he served as State Membership Chair and attained the Honorary Pilgrim Degree which is the highest degree in the Moose. He was president of the East Central Illinois National Active and Retired Federal Employees for many years. He served on the State Board for 11 years as District Vice President, Second Vice President and State Membership Chairman. He was also a member of the Rantoul American Legion Post 287, an AAU swimming official 1953-55 and officiated Pan-American tryouts at Mare Island, California 1954-55. Leroy’s biggest pride was his family. He dearly loved his precious wife of 70 years, Mary Catherine Wargo, his daughters Linette and Deborah and his grandson, Todd. He enjoyed family get togethers. The family would like to thank the staff, especially Sarge and Gomer, at Country Health Nursing Home for their kindness and compassionate care of Leroy. Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leroy Olin Hensley September 10 1922 August 12 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Paxton, state: Illinois