Michael E. "Mike" Henery

Michael E. “Mike” Henery was born June 12, 1947, to Glen P. and Dorothy L. (Dodson) Henery and passed away on February 1, 2023, two days shy of his 55th wedding anniversary. Mike attended Somerset Elementary School and graduated from Sheridan High School and Heath Area Vocational School where he studied automotive mechanics. Mike played football and track at Sheridan and was a member of VICA at the Vocational School. (Vocational Schools of America) While at Sheridan, Mike walked the halls and smiled at a girl he was determined to make his wife. Her smile melted his heart and he found her touch would calm his soul. After graduation, Mike served in the US Army from 1966-1968 and achieved the rank of Buck Sergeant E-5. He was honorably discharged in 1968. While in the Army he drove M108105 tanks for the 87th Artillery. Mike married the love of his life, the girl who returned his smile, Linda Pettit Henery, on February 3, 1968. They are the proud parents of Heidi (Eric) Parrish, M. Shawn (Tammy) Henery and Ryan (Sheena) Henery. They have 8 grandchildren, Kyle A. (Renee) Bowman, Kody A. Bowman, Hannah N. (Kameren) Baker, Alexis M. Parrish, Caleb M. Henery, Kira J. Parrish, Seth M. Henery and Dakota M. Henery and 4 great-grandchildren Case Earl Baker, Jack Anthony Bowman, Reahlynn Celeste Henery and Maverick Michael Henery. The family also includes two step-grandchildren, Thomas Forson, and Dominick Moody, one step-great-grandson, Brantley Baker. Mike was a loving husband, Dad, Pappy and great-Grandpa who cared deeply for his wife and family and would do anything for them even when he did not feel well. Mike was a past charter member of 10-years for the Somerset Community Celebration Committee, a member of the American Legion, was a past Deacon at Somerset Church of Christ and Southgate Church of Christ in Heath and transferred membership to Norval Park Church of Christ in S. Zanesville. He was baptized (immersed, according to Acts 2:38) in February 1975 along with his wife. Mike had a very strong faith in God and followed where God led him. Throughout his lifetime he endured a lung disease, heart issues with 7 stents, diabetes, and in 2012 was diagnosed with cancer (multiple myeloma) and had to have a quadruple by-pass in 2016. In 2021 he had a TAVR and T-cell transplant and in 2022 he had a pacemaker. He never complained or lost his faith in God. He was only given 2-3-years with his cancer diagnosis but God gave him 10 years with his family. Mike worked at Belden Brick in Somerset during his teen years, Dayton Precision, Phelps Dodge, spray painting & tile work for Carl Snider and National Gas/The Energy Cooperative where he worked as a Senior Dispatcher in the Control Center and retired after 35-years. Mike previously worked with grade school children at local basketball games. He helped start the Muskingum Valley League Junior High Track & Field Championships at Sheridan and was a part of that process. Mike served as past 10-year President of Sheridan Athletic Boosters. He worked for 5-years as an unlicensed official and then became a Licensed Track & Field & Cross-Country Official for almost 40-years prior to retirement. He worked the chain crew at the Sheridan home games for 20-years and after a knee replacement he took care of the football officials and game ball at home games for many years. With his officiating, Mike served as President, Vice President, & Rules Interpreter for Licking County Track Officials Association. As of January 16, 2018, he had completed 58 Regional Track & Field Tournaments, 38 District Tournaments, had been a Starter at Regionals & served as Meet Referee, Head Finish Line Judge, Long & High Jump Judge. He worked twice at the Big Ten Track & Field Championships, by invitation from the Ohio State University. In Cross-Country, he officiated once as an Umpire and twice as Meet Management, did 28 Regionals and 28 District Meets. In 2013 Mike received the Distinguished Service Award from the Secretary for the State of Ohio for Track & Field & Cross-Country. Mike only missed four Sheridan High School Football games from 1977-2018-- (due to a death in the family & his own hospitalization with heart issues). Prior to that he had attended more than 250 consecutive football games. He officiated at the MVL Track & Field Championships, the day after he had a bone marrow biopsy and stood on that hip the entire day. Mike received the Distinguished Service Award from OATCC, Outstanding Service & Leadership Award, Official 39 years and Contributor’s Award in 2015. Mike worked well with the athletes, who respected and appreciated him. He was encouraging and supportive and joked with them along the way. He took care of the referees at the Sheridan home games by giving them food prepared by the boosters, the game football, getting to know them, talking and joking to help set the mood of the game. Mike was very well-liked among the football referees, coaches, track association and had a good reputation in his community. He was always very friendly and met someone he knew wherever he went. He had an amazing wit, disposition and sense of humor. Mike was a quiet Christian man who never knew a stranger and helped those in need without praise or attention. He made a lasting, Christian impression on many people and loved spending time with his family and doing family traditions. He enjoyed watching Mopar races and rode 3-laps in a race car at 173 mph at the Kentucky Motor Speedway. He also enjoyed a 10-day trip out west with his father-in-law. He showed his truck at the Mopar Nationals with his son Ryan, worked 13-years at the Spring Nationals at National Trails Raceway, shared a trip with his sons and grandsons to the John Deere Museum, Pavilion, Collector’s Center and Store at Moline, Illinois. Mike loved God and reading His Word and set a good example for his family and others with his Christian attitude and teaching skills. He was the best friend to all three of his children. His grandchildren appreciated and often commented that their Pappy taught them how to do many things in their lives and they often laughed about the funny stories and activities he shared because he was always a jokester. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Ralph and Dorothy (Clayton) Pettit, two sisters Sue Hoffman and Peggy Weaver and a brother and sister-in-law Don and Janice Henery. His sister Sue and his Mom died within 3-days of each other in 2011. He is survived by his wife of almost 55- years, (Feb. 3, 1968) Linda Pettit Henery, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, three sisters and one brother, Janet (Russell) Householder, Steve (Carolyn) Henery, Pam (Dan) O’ Connor and Kathy Coffill, in-laws Brenda (Larry) Miller, Connie Jenkins, Mike (Cheryl) Pettit and Dave Pettit. He has numerous Aunts, Uncle, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins including Caiden and Peyton Pettit. Calling hours will be held from 10-11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2023, followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. at the Somerset United Methodist Church, 139 E. Main St., Somerset, Ohio with Evangelist Keith Kress officiating. A full military graveside service will be held for the family only following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the James Cancer Hospital. Bope-Thomas Funeral Home in Somerset is entrusted with the arrangements.

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