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Alfred L. Henry
Alfred L. Henry, age 95, formerly of Versailles, Ohio, passed away
Friday, July 28, 2017, at Fair Haven in Sidney, Ohio. Al was born
June 15, 1922 in rural Darke County, to the late Harry and Mary
(Didier) Henry of Versailles, Ohio. On December 15, 1943, he
married Dorothy M. Dapore at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney,
Ohio. She preceded him in death on March 27, 2011.
Al is survived by son and daughter in law A. Larry & Sylvia Henry,
Jr. of Versailles; daughters and son in law, Barbara & Jerry Weaver
of Clayton, Joyce & James Chilcote of Toledo, and Cheryl & Dale
Leach, Jr. of Sidney; twelve grandchildren; Rebecca Henry, Tamara (Kris
Barr) Henry, Janell (Chris) Weiss, Elizabeth (Robert) Hunkeler, Keith
Weaver, Marcella (Douglas) Chaney, Anthony (Tanya) Weaver, Julie
Chilcote, Jamie (Kim) Chilcote, Jeff (Amber) Chilcote, Chris (Sherri)
Leach, and Dave (Quintina) Leach, 37 Great Grandchildren, 4 Great-Great
Grandchildren, sister Bertha Bryan of Piqua, and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Al was preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter Mary
Elizabeth Weaver, and siblings, Elizabeth Chouchot, Magdalene Kley,
Josephine Saintignon, Florence Bashore, Dorothy Zimmerman, Louis Henry,
James Henry, John Henry, Joseph Henry and Paul Henry.
Al served in the Army during World War II and participated in 4 major
campaigns, Invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland Hurtgen
Forest and Ardennes Forest. He was wounded several times as a
combat soldier and chose to return to his unit until the fourth time
when he finished his service as a MP. He received the Purple
Heart with oak leaf cluster and other medals and accommodations.
He completed his service as a staff sergeant and was discharged on
November 29, 1945. It pleased him when strangers would come up to
him and thank him for his service.
Upon returning from the war, Al and Dorothy started dairy
farming. They won an award for the best quality milk in Ohio and
a trip to Chicago in the late sixties. Al was a life member of
the Saint Remy Knights of Columbus. He is a Past-President of the
Darke County Farm Bureau, served on the Darke County Farm Bureau Board
of Directors for over 25 years and made trips to Washington DC to talk
to congressmen on behalf of farmers. He was a member of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars and a lifetime member of the Disabled American
Veterans, where he was a past commander, and frequently participated in
parades and goodwill visits to other less fortunate veterans. He
was a member of the Purple Heart Chapter of Dayton, Ohio.
Once he and Dorothy retired from farming, they began to travel.
They visited all but four of our 50 states as well as travel to Canada,
Europe and Africa. With retirement, he became very active in his
army reunions for the 83rd Infantry Division, and several times hosted
the event.
On May 30, 2012 he, along with his deceased twin brother Joseph, and
deceased brother John, received a High School Diploma from Versailles
High School with the graduating class of 2012 made possible through
John Boehner’s office. The manuscript of his short
story of his life is in the Library of Congress.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Friday, August 4, 2017
at 10:30 AM at St. Denis Catholic Church, Versailles, Ohio, with Rev.
Fr. Jim Simons celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Valbert
Cemetery, Versailles, Ohio. Family will receive friends on
Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 4-8 PM as well as from 9-10 am on Friday
at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio. A Graveside
Military service will be conducted by the Versailles Veterans Honor
Guard.
It is the wishes of the family that memorial contributions be given to
Wilson Hospice.
Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
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