Dennis W. “Sonny” Henslee, 58, of Dowagiac, passed away at 2:35 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at his home.

Sonny’s life began on Jan. 17, 1951, in Salem, Ark., the son of Presley and Vada (Potter) Henslee.

He was united in marriage on April 21, 1989, in Cass to Brenda Joan Francis.

Sonny worked many years for Joe and Iness Independent Trash Co. He also enjoyed cutting fire wood.

His loving family includes: his wife, Brenda, of Dowagiac; children,  Michelle Ann Henslee of Dowagiac, Tammy Denise Henslee of Alabama, Judy Jo (Shawn) Scott of Alabama, Dennis “D.W.” Wills of Michigan, Veronica Hetler of Dowagiac, Tommy Lee (Angela) Walker of Dowagiac and Amanda (Thomas Ottinger) Walker of Dowagiac; 20 grandchildren, Heather Staggs, Brittany Staggs, James Staggs Jr., Brandy Hetler, Dale Hetler, Cody Hetler, whom Sonny raised as his own child, Haley Ottinger, Hunter Ottinger, Jessica Griffin, Julia Griffin, Jacob Griffin, Joshua Griffin, Justin Main, Tiffany Main, Drake Henslee, Donavon Henslee, Tony Henslee, Aniyah Post, Nathan Walker and Rebecca Walker; three great-grandchildren, Faith Billings, Matthew Cell and Dakota Rose; and his sisters, Pauline (Dahl) Lawyer of Salem, Ark., Angie Allard of Cherokee Village, Ark., Kathleen (Douglas) Jones of Mammoth Springs, Ark., Marlene Fish of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., Phyllis (Gordon) Oxford of Arkansas and Darlene Neiderbrach of Salem, Ark.; his brother, Lennis Henslee of West Plains, Mo.; his sister-in-law, Elsie Mae Henslee of Wiseman, Ark.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Sonny was preceded in death by: his parents; his sister, Cecil Henslee; and his brothers, Gene and Dean Henslee.

His family will receive friends on Monday, Nov. 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, Dowagiac.

His funeral service will be on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at The Apostolic Lighthouse Church, led by Pastor Gerald Bushnell.

Sonny will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Eau Claire.

Memorial donations may be directed to family in care of his wife, Brenda. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Sonny at www.yazel-clark.com.