Don J. Henderson

Don Jansen Scott Henderson aged 82 years, resident of Salem Township, Muskingum County, died Sunday, July 7, 2012 at his residence of Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Forrest Clifton Henderson, an educator, and Leila Daniels Henderson, a nurse, on July 27, 1929, Don spent much of his childhood vacation visiting both sets of his grandparents and his many cousins in rural Dempsytown, PA where he learned to drive a tractor at thirteen. An only child, Don grew-up in Shaler Township and graduated in 1947 from Shaler High School where he played flute and piccolo in the high school band. Like his father, he attended Grove City College in Grove City, PA and graduated in 1951 with a BS in Physical Science and Mathematics, and earned a Certificate to Teach. Following college, Don moved to Canton, Ohio to work for US Steel as a metallurgist. There he met Wilma May Fraser and they married on June 27, 1952 at Christ United Presbyterian where the couple was active for many years. The family then embarked on a series of moves that eventually brought Don to Zanesville Ohio and Burnham Corporation. After retirement he tutored and taught math part time. He was an active member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist and served in many capacities; including Treasurer, Lay Minister, Adult Sunday School Teacher and Choir Member. Don enjoyed the novels of James Michener, singing in the church choir and was an avid bridge player. He enjoyed numerous other card games that involved strategy and mathematical acumen and was known for his roguish sense of humor. His other interests included gathering fossils and mineral specimens and in his retirement he studied wire wrapping, gem cutting, and glass cutting. Along with rocks, he collected paperweights and was always fascinated and charmed by the interplay of diffraction and refraction. Don is survived by his wife of sixty years, Wilma M. Henderson; their three children, Sharon J. Rice (Rev. Larry) of San Mateo, California, Keith D. Scott Henderson of Florence Kentucky, and Suzette J Henderson (Jeff J. Thomas) of Minerva Park, Ohio; his sister-in-law Miriam, nephew Scott (Shameem) Hinterleiter, nieces Paula Guiler (Peter) and Elizabeth Udall (Kyle); his 5 grandchildren, Antoinette, Christopher Scott (Fema), Jeremy, and Jeffrey Rice, and Fiona G. H. Thomas; grand-niece, Anastasia and 3 grand nephews, Robin, Andrew and Avishai and three great-grandchildren, Jack, Gianfranco and Gabriella. His aunt Irene Larson Daniels Plowman, cousins Diana Daniels, Carol (Ron), Heather, Katrina S. Kee and Michael Shaneen and children of Venango County Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his uncle, Eugene Daniels. Friends And family may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012 at Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2012 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 400 Pleasant Grove Road, Zanesville with Pastor Linda Morrow officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hills Memorial Gardens, Canton, Ohio. Donations can be made to Heifer International. www.heifer.org To send a note of condolence to the Henderson family, order flowers or Comfort food for the family: www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com

Visitation

Thursday, July 12, 2012 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home
1271 Blue Avenue Zanesville 43701, United States

Funeral Service

Friday, July 13, 2012 10:00 AM
Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church
400 Pleasant Grove Road Zanesville OH 43701 ,