Dean H. Hennen

Dean H. Hennen, 88, of Genoa, died Monday evening September 5, 2011, in St. Lukes Hospital, Maumee, Ohio. Dean was born February 23, 1923, in Toledo, Ohio, to James A. and Bernice Skilliter Hennen. On October 3, 1942, in Toledo he married Verna J. Schimming and she survives. Dean was a 1941 graduate of Genoa High School, where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track. He especially excelled in track and placed 5th in the State of Ohio in 1940. He held the record for the 880 yard run at Genoa for over 30 years. In 2004 he was inducted into the Genoa Athletic Hall of Fame. He stayed involved as an active and loyal Comet athletic booster club member for many years. During WW II he worked as a crane operator for Erie Proving Grounds. He retired as a quality superintendent from U.S. Gypsum in 1982 after 40 years. Dean served on Genoa Village Council for 12 years and as its president in 1967. He also took part in the dedication of the present-day Genoa branch library. He was a member of the village Tree Commission for six years. Dean was also an active member of St. Johns United Church of Christ in Genoa, where he served on Consistory, as a deacon and usher. Many of Deans interests included all kinds of sports-especially baseball; his favorite team was the Cleveland Indians. He was an avid golfer and bowler. Dean also enjoyed traveling to many of the 50 states in the U.S. and twice to Europe and Hawaii. In addition to his wife, Verna, Dean is survived by his children, Karen Fred Koester of Northwood, Joan Johnson of Genoa, Dennis Lenora Hennen of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Jodi Jesse Espinoza of Genoa; grandchildren, Kara Koester, Kami Claus, Ashley Johnson, Heath and Lance Hennen, Alex, Troy and Ryan Espinoza, step grandchildren, Shelly Brian Schultz, Jackie Joe Kirby and Jaime James Lang and seven great grandchildren, Harly, Riley, Danielle, Mitchell, Reagan, Cooper and Jacob. His parents preceded him in death. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday, September 8, 2011, in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Genoa. The funeral service will be conducted 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2011, in St. Johns United Church of Christ, Genoa, with interment to follow in Clay Township Cemetery. The family suggests memorials for Dean to St. Johns United Church of Christ, 1213 Washington St., Genoa, OH 43430; or the Luther Home of Merch, 5810 N. Main St., P.O. Box 187, Williston, OH 43468. The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and aides at Perrysburg Care and Rehab for his excellent care.