E. Emogene Hensley, 93, of St. Marys and formerly Eaton, Ohio, passed peacefully into eternity on July 30, 2022 at Cridersville Healthcare Center in Cridersville, Ohio. She was born at home in Eaton, Ohio, on May 20, 1929. She was the 10th child of Frank and Nancy (Hanlon) Wiseman.
Emogene first worked in a little corner grocery store she owned with her first husband, James Omer Statzer. When her first child, Ruth Ann, was 3 yrs. old, James O. died of polio. Emogene then completed Richmond Secretarial School and was employed at Belden in Richmond, IN. Lastly, Emogene worked in the office at the J.C. Penney Co., also located in Richmond, for 40 years. She was a loyal employee who worked for them whenever needed, even if it was in the middle of her vacation. She married Harold L. Hensley in 1953, and in 1954 Deborah Linn was born. Sadly, in 1956, baby David Michael entered this world for only a few hours. Emogene was a leader for the Flair for Fashion 4-H club when her girls were involved in the program. She was also a long-time member of the New Hope United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities including the office of treasurer for a decade. However, the puppet team was her passion! Emogene founded the Kid’s Choir in 1995 and Children’s Puppet Ministry in 1996. She loved the puppeteers and directed the team for ten years. While living in St. Marys, she attended Wayne St. United Methodist Church and was a member of the Susanna Wesley Circle. Emogene’s hobbies were gardening (flower and vegetable), mushroom hunting, and caring for all the creatures that wandered through her big country home yard. She loved and owned many dogs, cats, birds, frogs and even a racoon in the course of her life. Mr. Kitty was her last beloved companion. She was an excellent dessert baker. She will always be remembered for her Black Raspberry pie. The berries were fresh and hand-picked in the cool of the morning. Together with the flaky, tender crust, every bite was heavenly!
Those who greeted Emogene at Heaven’s gate are: parents, Frank and Nancy Wiseman; husbands James O. Statzer and Harold L. Hensley; son, David Michael; brothers: Joe (Jenny) Wiseman; Harold (Mary) Wiseman; Carl (Dela) Wiseman, sisters: Dorothy (Charles) Taylor; Freda (Ralph) Aten; Lucille (Martin) Shelley; Pauline (Rosco) Miller; Martha Evelyn (Fred) Applegate; June (Dick) Alvey. Emogene was a smiling, optimistic, peppy ball of energy. We even adapted the words of a song just for her, naming her the “Peppiest Grandma I Ever Saw.” She was always up for an adventure, willing to help with a project or support a family member in an activity. More than anything else, she loved God and her family. Those who remain loved her so much and will miss her presence in their lives. Remaining family members are: daughters, Ruth Ann (John) Woesner; Deborah (Jim) Nelson; granddaughters, Alicia Fine; April Braun; grandson, Aaron (Terri) Woesner; great grandchildren, Gunner Braun, Gavin Braun, Ethan Fine, Ansley Fine, Genevieve Woesner, James Woesner; along with many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Emogene will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Gard Funeral Home, 226 West Main St., Eaton, OH with Pastor Tim Benjamin officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Betty’s Foundation, P.O. Box 6284 San Pedro, CA 90734, which is an organization founded by the Woesner family after relatives diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. All funds are used for innovative research, education, awareness, and ultimately the elimination of Alzheimer’s Disease. For more information, please go to www.bettysfoundation.org . Online condolence and other remembrances may be sent by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.