John Donald Henson, Sr's Obituary
John Donald “Don” Henson, Sr. departed this life peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, on August 9, 2025, in Warrenton, Virginia, at the age of 87.
Born on August 6, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, Don was raised in Dupo, IL, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Marlyn Kossina. He attended college at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he competed on the Rifle Team (still holding the record for highest competition score), and graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture.
Following graduation, Don began his career with the Food and Drug Administration as an inspector. Through hard work and determination, he rose through the ranks in record time, ultimately serving for 17 years as Inspector General in Washington D.C. While living in northern Virginia, he personally built his wife’s dream home, a 2-story Georgian Colonial where they raised their family.
Don was a man of many talents and passions. He sang tenor in the church choir and with a semi-professional group called the PQ Singers. He also was a prolific vegetable gardener and grew raspberries which he crafted into a national prize-winning cordial. After retiring from government service, Don and Marlyn moved back to Columbia, IL to be closer to extended family. There, Don partnered with his brother Robert to establish Bluffside Farms, a successful tree farm that helped him reconnect with his love of agriculture. In later years, he enjoyed woodworking and created beautifully elaborate wood bowls and plaques which he delighted in gifting to friends and family. He also loved hunting and fishing with his brothers and other family members.
Don is survived by his three children, Dr. DeeAnn Stroop (David), J.D. Henson, Jr. (Aimee), and Karri Mize, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two brothers, David (Carol) Henson and Robert (Joyce) Henson. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Maryln (Kossina) Henson, and his parents, John David and Sadie Katherine Henson.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, September 6 at Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia, Illinois. Visitation will begin at 3:00pm, followed by a Memorial Service at 4:00pm, with a reception to immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes condolences and memorial contributions to Hope4Kids, International, which may be made through Leesman Funeral Home.
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