Born: Dec. 28 1928

Died: Oct. 29, 2012

Frances “Jean” Henderson, 83, of Buffalo Road in Galien, died at 8:57 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born on Dec. 28, 1928, in Niles to Fred and Frances (Hardenburgh) Weist, graduated from Niles High School in 1947 and lived in this area all of her life.

Jean was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles and a member of the American Legion Post 344 Auxiliary in Galien. She enjoyed playing card games and Scrabble.

On Feb. 18, 1950, at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, she married Alexander R. “Sonny” Henderson Jr. with whom she celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Aug. 28, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by a sister, Carol Sonnenleiter, on March 31, 2008.

Surviving family includes daughters, Sheila Jean (and Charles) Neuman of Galien, and Marsha Ann Huss, of Niles; a son, Alex R. Henderson, III, of Niles; and grandchildren, Michael Henderson, Justin Henderson, Andrew Neuman, Ben Neuman, Rick Neuman and Kim (and Willie) Hostetler; Jean’s brother, Frederick J. (and Jan) Weist, of Frankfort; several nieces and nephews; and a special circle of friends, including an “adoptive daughter,” Deborah Stojic, and a caregiving friend, Cindy Kuhl..

The funeral service for Frances Jean Henderson will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. David Otto of Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles officiating and eulogy by family friend Nancy McDonald.

Committal Rites will follow at Galien Cemetery, Galien.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Jean may be made to the American Legion Post 344 Auxiliary.