Bobby D. Henson

PONTIAC — Bobby Dean Henson, 85, formerly of Manville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Evenglow Inn, Pontiac, surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator. Rev. Father Ryan Mattingly will officiate.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Additional visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Streator. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brian, Jeff, Nicholas, Alex and T.J. Henson; Christopher Cherveny and Andrew Wargo. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Jason, Patrick, Scott, Lincoln, Joseph, Jordan, Kyle and Colton Henson; Clinton Cherveny and Tyler Wargo.

Born Aug. 19, 1933, in Johnsonville, he was the son of Leslie and Myrtle (Wright) Henson. He married Doris Oehl on June 19, 1953. She preceded him in death on Jan. 16, 1997.

He is survived by daughters, Deborah (Mike) Cherveny, of Streator, Linda (Kevin) Wargo, of Streator, and Carol (Steve) Johnston, of Streator; sons, Richard (Sue) Henson, of Carmel, Ind., Dennis (Janice) Henson, of Channahon, Daniel (Sue) Henson, of Streator, Terry (Sue) Henson, of Streator, Larry (Colleen) Henson, of Troy, Tim (Diana) Henson, of Dwight, and Mike (Billie Jo) Henson, of Pontiac; 29 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Roger Henson, of Byron.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, David Henson; sisters, Delores Hanesford and Mary Lou Wiltfang; a brother, Ronald Henson; and a daughter-in-law, Judith Henson.

Bobby was raised in the Byron area attending Byron grade schools and Byron High School. He also attended the University of Illinois where he studied business.

He moved to the Streator area in 1966. He worked for Joyce Beverage (7 UP) from 1953 to 1994 in various capacities, including truck driver, routes sales, distributor and district manager. He started in the Rockford area and also managed offices in Streator, Bloomington and Ottawa through the years. He later worked for Turner Bus Company, driving a bus for Woodland School from 1995 to 2010.

He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church where he volunteered as an usher for many years. He currently belonged to St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and was a 3rd Degree member of the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council 790. He also served on the Woodland High School Board of Education for several years.

Bobby loved golfing and fishing. He enjoyed football and NASCAR as well. He was a loyal family man who loved spending time with his large family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorials may be directed to Evenglow Lodge Memory Care or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with the family at solontelford.com

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

301 S. Park St., Streator, IL 61364

815-672-2320 solontelford.com