Samuel Hensley

Samuel Earl Hensley, Jr., 91, a longtime resident of Rockford, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011, in Denver, Colorado. Sam was born on September 16, 1920, in Earlville, Illinois, son of Samuel Earl Hensley, Sr. and Eva L. (Holliday) Hensley. Sam married Alice Rosamond Fehler of Massbach, IL on March 23, 1940. Sam and Alice were members of Central Christian Church for many years. Sam proudly served his country in the US Navy. Sam was a Fireman First Class, on a Destroyer, during World War II. He then worked as a machinist for Greenlee Brothers and Co. in Rockford, IL, later as a glass installer for Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Rockford, from then on he became the sole owner of Hensley Glass Service, which he operated for 21 years. He and Alice lived in Rockford until 1992, when he retired at age 72 and they moved to Colorado. Sam is preceded in death by his wife Alice, son Steven, daughter Sharon, parents Sam and Eva, sisters Blanche and Christine and great-grandchildren, Mark Lewis and Logan Lewis. Left to share in his memory are his sister, Louise DeWall, Winter Garden, Florida; daughters, Lana, Machesney Park, Illinois, June (Norm) Brigandi, Parker, Colorado, Janice (Bill) Bennett, Aurora, Colorado, son-in law, Jack Trotter, Rockford, Illinois; grandchildren, Mark, Robert, Tara, Jess and Anne, James, Lori, Daren; great-grandchildren, Loukas, Robbie, Lindsay, Bill, Jake, Jack, Brianna, Tailor, Caleb, Jacob, Wade, Zach, Matt, Mason, Alex, Cassidy and Gabe and five great-great grandchildren. Sam cherished time with his family more than anything else. His face and eyes would light up when he was with his family. He enjoyed many hobbies and had many interests. Sam was very creative and artistic building many different things with his hands. He enjoyed carving, drawing, painting, stained glass, building steam and gas engines, building furniture and gardening. There was nothing he could not fix or build himself, including a telescope, miniature steam-engine tugboat, and a miniature working cannon. He also enjoyed dixieland jazz, Rockford Speedway, NASCAR racing, antique engine shows, reading and discussing politics. His hearty, contagious laugh, twinkling eyes and gentlemanly manner impressed everyone who knew him. He lives on in the hearts of his family and friends and he will be greatly missed. We extend special thanks and gratitude to the caring staff of Holly Heights Care Center and Denver Hospice. A funeral service will be held on December 16th, 2011, at 2:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, Illinois, 61115, followed by burial. James Trotter will officiate the services. A memorial service will be held in Denver on January 11, 2012, at 2:00 pm, at Holly Heights Care Center, 6000 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, Colorado, 80222