Rev. Dr. Joseph Eugene Henson Sr

The Reverend Doctor Joseph E. Henson Sr., 84, of Washington Court House, died at 11:10p.m. at Fayette County Memorial Hospital, Washington CH. He was born on July 4, 1929 in Frankfort, OH, the son of the late Jesse and Lillis Gail Johnson Henson. On August 6, 1949 he married the former Barbara L. Blue, who survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Jennifer L. Ward of Yellow Springs OH, one son, Joseph E. Henson, II of Lakeland FL, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Mildred Booher.

Joe was a 1947 graduate of Frankfort High School, and joined the United States Navy, serving in Korea. Following his Navy service Joe participated in the National Guard and was discharged on January 1, 1955. After returning home, Joe worked at the VA Hospital in Chillicothe, and then went into federal law enforcement. He worked for the Bureau of Prisons at the Chillicothe Reformatory, and in Texarkana TX. Joe received a Bachelor's Degree from Wilmington College, his Masters of Divinity in 1963, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Methodist Theological Seminary, in Delaware OH in 1983. Joe retired from the United Methodist Church, Ohio Conference following 40 years in the ministry. Joe also served as police chief for Jefferson Township in Dayton OH. He was a fifty year member of the Frankfort Masonic Lodge 309 Free & Accepted Masons, and the Joseph Ellsworth White Post 483 American Legion, Frankfort.

Family and friends can gather at 1p.m. on Saturday November 23, 2013 in the EBRIGHT FUNERAL HOME, Frankfort. A celebration of life service will be held at 2p.m. with Pastor Todd Wallace and Rev. Gayle Browne officiating. Burial of the cremains will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort with military honors accorded by the Joseph Ellsworth White Post 483, Frankfort American Legion.