Ronald M. Henderson

Ronald M. Henderson, 72, of Canonsburg, died Tuesday, February 7, 2017, in his home after battling ALS.

He was born December 21, 1944, in Baltimore, MD, a son of Merl and Melba England Henderson.

Mr. Henderson was a 1963 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School and from the Bakers School of Aeronautics in Lebanon, TN.

He was a veteran of the Vietnam war having served with the Airforce from 1963 to 1967, where he was a C130 Crew chief.  He received the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight as a combat crew member in South East Asia.  His  involvement was with important missions under extremely hazardous conditions including the continuous possibility of hostile ground fire.

Mr. Henderson worked for 18 years at McGraw-Edison as a shearer and 18 years for US Airways as a baggage handler and worked his way up to an aircraft mechanic.

He was a member of Central Assembly of God in Houston, where he helped in many capacities.

Mr. Henderson enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, and was a member of an aircraft machinist group in Pittsburgh.

On May 16, 1970, he married Donna English, who survives.

Also surviving are: three children, Mark R. Henderson (Jennifer) of Meadow Lands, Connie Henderson Szafraniec (Andy) and David Henderson both of Canonsburg; two granddaughters, Ariel Grace Szafraniec and Anya Renee Henderson; a brother, Curtis Henderson (Carol) of La Grange, NC; and several nieces and nephews.

A daughter, Lynn Ann Henderson, is deceased.

Friends will received be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm Sunday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 13, with Rev. Don O’Hare officiating.  Interment will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Twp., where  full military rites will be accorded by the VFW Post 191, Canonsburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Central Assembly of  God Church, 155 McGovern Road, Houston, PA 15342, Teen Quest Ranch, 293 Rich Road, Somerset, PA 15501, Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370 or Live Action, 2200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 111, Arlington, VA 22201.

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