David "Lyle" Henning

Memorial Graveside Services for David "Lyle" Henning will be conducted from the Chappell Cemetery at Chappell, Nebraska on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. (Mountain Time) with Pastor Richard Graeff, officiating. Inurnment will be in the Chappell Cemetery.

David "Lyle" Henning, 84 years of age, of Holdrege (formerly of Chappell) passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Lyle was born October 5, 1922 at Ringwood, Oklahoma, the third of four children of David Herman and Asenith Nellie Mae (Fillman) Henning. He received his education from Belpre, Kansas, graduating from Belpre High School with the class of 1941. Following his education, Lyle was employed at Arrow Manufacturing Plant in Wichita, Kansas, building airplane parts where he was crew chief of twenty women at the plant and earned fifty cents per hour. While in Wichita, he played semi-pro baseball.

Lyle then served his country in the Army Air Force during WW II from October 31, 1942 until his honorable discharge on September 11, 1945. Lyle was a Technical Sergeant serving as an airplane mechanic gunner and he was a pistol marksman. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross air medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters. He also received a Good Conduct Medal and a Distinguished Unit Badge. He flew in B-17 Bombers in the Air Offense Europe, Normandy and Northern France. Following his service, Lyle returned to Belpre, Kansas.

In 1947 he was united in marriage to Edna Hughes at Stafford, Kansas and to this union five children were born: Mary Lee, Rosie Jonelle, Betty Mae, David and Greg. The family made their home in Kansas, Colorado and finally in Chappell, Nebraska. Lyle was employed as a Deputy on horseback in Dodge City, Kansas and farmed in Colorado. He later owned and operated, Pizza To Go in Chappell and prior to his retirement he was employed by Leprino Foods.

On September 15, 1984 he was united in marriage to Jeannette Larington at Sidney, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Chappell until moving to Holdrege in 2005 to be near family. Lyle enjoyed making jewelry, riding horses, playing horseshoes, bowling, playing his guitar and singing. He loved telling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren about his cowboy days of the past.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Jeannette of Holdrege; four children: Mary Lee Van Buskirk and her husband, Ronnie of Texas, Jonelle Lening and her husband, Don of Colorado, David Henning of Chappell, Nebraska and Greg Henning and his wife, Nancy of Whitefish, Montana; one sister, Betty Schartz and her husband, Mark of Larned, Kansas; three step-children; eleven grandchildren; fourteen step-grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; one step great-granddaughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Betty Mae when she was one year old; brother, Kenny Henning; sister, Juanita Wolf and one nephew, Randy Henning.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Lyle's wishes for cremation.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.