BYRON E. “Hank” HENDERSON, 87, of Eau Claire entered eternal rest Friday morning (11-15-13) at VNA In-Patient Hospice in Butler following a most courageous three year battle with cancer. Born on October 4, 1926 in Eau Claire, Pa., he was the son of the late Vant and Rella Stitt Henderson. He was a graduate of the former Emlenton High School, and studied engineering and management supervision through classes at Penn State University. He also participated in similar courses at Clarion and Slippery Rock State Colleges (now university).
Hank worked many years at the Emlenton Limestone Division of Interstate Asphalt, from where he retired in the early 1980’s as vice-president. He then owned and operated Parker Sand and Gravel in Allegheny Twp., Butler Co. for many years. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church of Eau Claire, where he served as trustee and member of various committees of the church. A veteran of World War II, he was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. He served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was a life member of Paul W. Wood VFW Post 7840. He was a member of Parker City-Allegheny Valley Lodge # 521 F. & A. M. from which he was presented his 50 year pin of membership. He also was a member of the New Castle Consistory. Hank made many hunting excursions to the western parts of the United States, and in recent years developed a passion for raising and caring for longhorn cattle at his property in Eau Claire. He was a charter member and three term president of the Valley Dam Sportsmen and Snowmobile Assn. at Ridgeville. Mr. Henderson will long be remembered that when things were going well, he expressed appreciation by saying “it just doesn’t get any better than this”.
Surviving are his wife, Linda Shultz Henderson; one son and wife, Derrick and Patty Henderson of Eau Claire; two daughters: Barbara Henderson of Daytona Beach, FL and Beverly (Carl G.) Muscatello of Ormond Beach, FL; three grandchildren: Jennifer (Chad) Beachem, Darrin (Jaynelle) Henderson, and Nicholas Muscatello; two great-grandchildren: Cali and Ryli Beachem; three stepsons and wives: Jeff (Dawn) Felsing of Bruin, Greg (Kathy) Felsing of West Sunbury, and Doug (Betty) Felsing of New Castle; six step-grandchildren: Nathan, Travis, Taylor, Katie, Sarah, and Jacob Felsing. Also survived by number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, George Henderson, and three sisters: Bertha Salusky, Doretha Kohls, and Ruth Robb.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Monday at H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, Inc., 201 So. Washington St., Eau Claire, and at the church for an hour preceding the funeral service. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday at Bethel United Methodist Church in Eau Claire with Rev. Kate Reitz, church pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Eau Claire Cemetery. Members of Parker City-Allegheny Valley Lodge # 521 will conduct Masonic Memorial Service at 6:45 PM Monday in the funeral home. VFW and American Legion Posts of Parker will conduct Veterans Memorial Service at Eau Claire Cemetery Tuesday morning.
Family suggests memorials to Good Samaritan Fund at Bethel U.M. Church, Eau Claire.
