Nolan Perry Henderson

Nolan Perry Henderson, 94, of Glenford, Ohio, went home to his Lord on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.
Nolan was born September 19, 1922 to the late Charles and Lillie (Smith) Henderson at their farm in Glenford, Ohio. Nolan graduated from Glenford High School and was a proud member of the 1941 State Champion Glenford Golden Horde basketball team. Following high school, he worked at Central Silica Sands in Glassrock for a short time before joining the Army. He proudly served in the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” Division as a paratrooper in the 907th Field Glider Artillery Battalion, the most decorated Army division of WWII. He stormed the beaches of Normandy France on D-Day nearly drowning when his ship, the Susan B. Anthony, was hit in the harbor. He survived subzero temperatures in Bastogne to claim victory under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit badge with 4 bronze stars and the WWII Victory Medal.
After the war, he returned to Glenford where he continued to serve his community for over 50 years. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service with 35 years of service as a rural carrier receiving the Million Mile award; retired as Mayor of the Village after 39 years; served on the Republican Central Committee and Regional Planning Commission; served on the Shelly Park Board; retired after 20 years with the Hopewell Volunteer Fire Dept. serving as Asst. Chief; served on the Northern Local School Board; recorded practice films for Sheridan High varsity basketball and football teams for 20 years; a charter member of the Glenford Lions Club serving in many offices, recently receiving his 55 year membership pin. Nolan was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ where he served as Elder, Deacon, Secretary/Treasurer, Sunday School teacher and Cemetery curator. In his spare time, he did electrical work all over Hopewell Township and surrounding communities and kept crops safe for local farmers as an avid coonhunter in his younger years. He was very proud to have brought a public water system to Glenford and continued to be involved in the management of the system into his 90’s.
Nolan is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jo Ann (Bourgeois) Henderson, whom he married July 21, 1949; three daughters, Cathy (Tim) Collins of White Cottage, Sheila (Chuck) Henderson of Somerset, and Melinda (Don) Bradley of Newark; grandchildren, Joleen (Ed) Kinsel, Perry (Heather) Collins, J.T. Johnson, Cassandra (Dr. Adam) Brandemihl, Clayton Embrey, Shelby Embrey; seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Wayne Henderson, age 100, of Lancaster; and a sister-in-law, Caroline “Kitty” Helser of Thornville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Fred, Omie, Eugene and Byron; sisters, Emma and Glorine; in-laws, George and Edna Bourgeois; brother-in-law, Dewayne “Bud” Bourgeois and sister-in-law, Francis Cooperrider.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2017 at the Bope-Thomas Funeral Home in Somerset and one hour prior to the service at the church. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at the former St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (currently Tin Cup Ministries), St. Rt. 757, Glenford with Dr. Herbert Hicks officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery next to the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lillie Smith Henderson Scholarship Fund at Sheridan High School or to the Jo Ann and Nolan Henderson Park Maintenance Fund through the Glenford Park Board.

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