Al is survived by son and daughter in law A. Larry & Sylvia Henry, Jr. of Versailles; daughters and son in law, Barbara & Jerry Weaver of Clayton, Joyce & James Chilcote of Toledo, and Cheryl & Dale Leach, Jr. of Sidney; twelve grandchildren; Rebecca Henry, Tamara (Kris Barr) Henry, Janell (Chris) Weiss, Elizabeth (Robert) Hunkeler, Keith Weaver, Marcella (Douglas) Chaney, Anthony (Tanya) Weaver, Julie Chilcote, Jamie (Kim) Chilcote, Jeff (Amber) Chilcote, Chris (Sherri) Leach, and Dave (Quintina) Leach, 37 Great Grandchildren, 4 Great-Great Grandchildren, sister Bertha Bryan of Piqua, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Al was preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Weaver, and siblings, Elizabeth Chouchot, Magdalene Kley, Josephine Saintignon, Florence Bashore, Dorothy Zimmerman, Louis Henry, James Henry, John Henry, Joseph Henry and Paul Henry.
Al served in the Army during World War II and participated in 4 major campaigns, Invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland Hurtgen Forest and Ardennes Forest. He was wounded several times as a combat soldier and chose to return to his unit until the fourth time when he finished his service as a MP. He received the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster and other medals and accommodations. He completed his service as a staff sergeant and was discharged on November 29, 1945. It pleased him when strangers would come up to him and thank him for his service.
Upon returning from the war, Al and Dorothy started dairy farming. They won an award for the best quality milk in Ohio and a trip to Chicago in the late sixties. Al was a life member of the Saint Remy Knights of Columbus. He is a Past-President of the Darke County Farm Bureau, served on the Darke County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for over 25 years and made trips to Washington DC to talk to congressmen on behalf of farmers. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, where he was a past commander, and frequently participated in parades and goodwill visits to other less fortunate veterans. He was a member of the Purple Heart Chapter of Dayton, Ohio.
Once he and Dorothy retired from farming, they began to travel. They visited all but four of our 50 states as well as travel to Canada, Europe and Africa. With retirement, he became very active in his army reunions for the 83rd Infantry Division, and several times hosted the event.
On May 30, 2012 he, along with his deceased twin brother Joseph, and deceased brother John, received a High School Diploma from Versailles High School with the graduating class of 2012 made possible through John Boehner’s office. The manuscript of his short story of his life is in the Library of Congress.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. Denis Catholic Church, Versailles, Ohio, with Rev. Fr. Jim Simons celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Valbert Cemetery, Versailles, Ohio. Family will receive friends on Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 4-8 PM as well as from 9-10 am on Friday at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio. A Graveside Military service will be conducted by the Versailles Veterans Honor Guard.
It is the wishes of the family that memorial contributions be given to Wilson Hospice. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
