Obituary of Russell Henderson Russell E. Henderson, 91, Kendallville, died on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Century Villa Health Care, Greentown. He was born in Elwood on January 6, 1927, to the late Carl and Lena Henderson, the oldest of five siblings. Russ spent his childhood years in Elwood and received his diploma from Elwood High School.
He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and was a World War II veteran. After his service to our country, he found employment at Landola Trailer Factory in Swayzee, where he met his wife of 65 years, Jean Woody. Russ raised his family and called Swayzee home for most of his life.
He was a self-employed carpenter, a construction manager, co-owner of Heith Builders, and later owned and operated Swayzee Packing Company with his wife, Jean. He was a member and past president of the Indiana Food Processors Association. Russ was active in the community and served on the Swayzee Town Board and Swayzee Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
For several years, Russ and Jean owned a home on Lake Tippy. His children and grandchildren treasure many happy memories of time spent at the lake with “Mem and Pap”. In his later years, he was semi-retired to Mesa, Arizona, where he and Jean were “snowbirds”.
They moved there permanently in 2002 after more than 50 years in Swayzee in the same home. During his years in Arizona, he was an active member of their homeowner’s association and was employed as a courier for Pioneer Dental Ceramics. He and Jean enjoyed attending Central Christian Church in Mesa.
He is survived by a son-in-law, Rick Gray, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Mike Boswell, Swayzee, and Lois and Todd Templin, Whitestown; grandchildren, Melissa Capps, Mindy DeBell, Chip Boswell, Brady Boswell, Trey Boswell, Margo Birk, and Trevor Templin; 18 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Patty and John Mitchell, Anderson; brother, Fred Henderson, Grandville, Michigan; brother-in-law, Jim Ratican, Frankton; and special friend, Rose Nivens, Kendallville. Russ was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean; daughter, Lynn Gray; brother, Max Henderson; sister, Jane Ratican; and special brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice for their extraordinary care in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Heart to Heart Hospice, 1385 N. Baldwin Ave. , Marion, IN 46952. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Thrailkill Cemetery, State Road 13, Swayzee.
Rev. Emily Vermilya from College Wesleyan Church will be officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Rybolt Chapel, 314 N. Washington St., Swayzee, IN.
Online condolences may be made at www. nswcares.com.
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