Vern Hensley, age 57, of Marion, went to be with the Lord peacefully Monday morning, March 16, 2015, at Heartland of Marion, surrounded by his loving family following a courageous four year battle with cancer.
On May 7, 1957, Vern was born in Marion, Ohio, the son of the late Edward Hensley and Edna (Akers) Hensley. He was raised in Marion and attended Marion Harding High School.
Leaving school early, Vern enlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy. He served as a Seabee, part of the US Naval Construction Forces, operating heavy construction equipment. He served for six years, and was last stationed in Gulf Port, Mississippi.
Following his service to his beloved country, Vern remained in Mississippi, in the very small town of Saucier, Mississippi for over thirty plus years.
While building cabinets, decks and skirting mobile homes, Vern also followed his true passion which was playing country music. Vern played in several bands as their bass guitarist, and they all mainly played country music. His longest tenure with any of the bands was with the band, Wonder Heart.
An avid hot rod fan, Vern loved attending car shows. Every year he would especially look forward to the “Cruisin the Coast” car show, when he and his friends would ride across the gulf coast in their street rods.
A man of faith, Vern enjoyed attending Shining Light Baptist Church in Marion with his family.
“A joker”, it was hard to take Vern seriously. He had a witty sense of humor and you never knew what he would say next.
Most important of all to Vern was his family, whom he cherished every moment he spent with them.
He is survived by his wife, Louise Hensley; a daughter, Celeste Stepro, both of Mississippi; four grandchildren: Aiden and Zachary Stepro, and Shelby and Donivan Smith Jr; 12 siblings: Larry (Linda) Hensley of Warsaw, IN, Pat (Ron) Nelson of Ada, OH, Hank (Linda) Henderson of Dola, OH, Mike (Connie) Hensley of Lakeview, OH, Pam Wells of McGuffey, OH, Elijah “Eddie” (Sherry) Hensley of Painesville, OH, David Brownstead of San Diego, CA, Kay (Ray) Williams of Marion, Jennifer (Dan) Moore of Prospect, Barry (Carrie) Hensley of Marion, Fred Hensley of McGuffey, OH, and Rod (Kim) Hensley of Marion, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including his parents, Vern was preceded in death by four siblings: Norma Jean Seitner, Virgil Hensley, Edward Hensley Jr., and an infant Jerry Hensley; a son, Donivan Smith Sr.
His family will greet friends from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21st, at the Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors, 347 W. Center St., Marion. Services paying tribute to his life will follow there at 3 p.m., led by his family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the care of his family to help with unexpected expenses.
Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors, a division of Snyder Funeral Homes, are honored to have been chosen to serve Vern’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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