Obituary for Robert E. Henthorn

Robert E. Henthorn, age 95, died on Friday, May 26, 2017 at Otterbein Home - Lebanon. He was born on April 10, 1922, near Marietta, Ohio, to Jacob George and Esther (Shai) Henthorn. After the family moved to Paden City, West Virginia, he graduated from Magnolia H.S., then served in the South Pacific during WWII. He then attended and graduated from Taylor University and married Gene Lois Gibbs on June 5, 1948. After obtaining a M.Div. from Boston University and his ordination, he served local parishes in East Ohio, including Brilliant, Wellsville, and Mingo Junction before spending 13 years in ministry with the Mill Men’s Hostel, precursor to Steubenville’s Urban Mission. Retiring from parish ministry at Boardman U.M.C. Bob and Gene relocated to Westerville, Ohio, where he shared in ministry with the Greater Columbus Emmaus Community, as well as teaching the Wagner-Hursh Sunday School class at Church of the Master. After 20 years in Westerville, Bob and Gene ‘fully’ retired to Otterbein Home - Lebanon. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 69 years, Gene; son Stephen (Nika), and daughters Catherine (Greg Shaw), and Susan (Steve Ford); granddaughter Nikaya (Jason Smith) and grandsons Todd Shaw (Holli), Jared Shaw (Sara), and Gavin Henthorn (Jamie); great grandchildren Austin, Arwen, Allie, Sawyer, Dorian, and Tyler; sister-in-law Onalee Henthorn and brother-in-law Brad Long; nieces Barbara (Charlie Racer) and Marsha (Tom Kemp), nephew Jeff Henthorn, and several cousins; very close friend John (Barb and Andy) Hinton. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Paul, and sister Virginia (Long). The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 on Wednesday, May 31 at Hill Funeral Home (Westerville). A celebration of life will be held at 11:00, Thursday, June 1 at Westerville’s Church of the Master U.M.C. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bob’s name to the Urban Mission of Steubenville or Otterbein Home’s Benevolence Fund.