H. Gary Hensley

Halbert Gary Hensley was born in rural southwest Taylor County, Iowa on February 16, 1942, the 3rd child of Halbert Gene Hensley and Beatrice (Orme) Hensley. He grew up on a typical Iowa small farm where he liked playing outside with neighborhood kids, his dog Pal, swimming in the pond, and riding his horse, Dash. When about 10, he won “most freckles” at Hopkins, MO picnic. He attended Valley Country School in Taylor County, Iowa through 8th grade and then attended Bedford High School, graduating with the class of 1960. He played football and ran track. He also participated in speech competitions, the band, and in class plays.

His senior year Gravity, Blockton and Conway schools consolidated with Bedford School. Sylvia (Sally) Beemer was one of the Conway girls to attend her senior year at Bedford and would later become Gary's wife of almost 65 years.

After graduation they both moved to Omaha, NE and later married and settled there. Missing small town living, in 1966 they moved to Creston, IA where he learned the plumbing & heating trade. In 1972, they purchased Houck Plumbing in Corning and renamed it Corning Plumbing & Heating. With Sally as bookkeeper, they worked side by side for almost 50 years. Their sons Monte and Clint joined the business in the early 1990’s and now own and operate Corning Plumbing & Heating.

From attending Siam, IA Methodist Church since a child, his faith and Church have been a big part of Gary’s life. He was a Christian with a great faith in God and lived his life by that faith. Gary and Sally went on many work trips to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky and southern Louisiana. His many work skills made them always overjoyed to have a professional plumber that was not afraid to crawl under trailers for repairs.

Gary is survived by his wife Sylvia (Sally), 3 sons, Jeff, Monte & Clint. His grandchildren Jordan (Ali), Jake (Aliyah), Derek (friend Graycie), Devin (Gabe) and Suzann (Alex). Great-grandchildren Karsyn, Hayes and Alexandria. Sister Nancy Dejoode, brothers-in law Jerry (Jean) Beemer, Tim (Linda) Beemer, sisters-in law Alice ‘Goubie’ Miller, Betty Jean, & Zonette, many, many beloved nieces, nephews & cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Beverely (Bob) Hardee, in-laws Mary & Sim Beemer, brothers-in law Bob Dejoode, & Lyle Miller, sisters-in law Beth Beemer, Betty (Marvin) Boyer, Joyce (Ralph) Ridnour, Mary Lu (Lloyd) Schofield, brothers-in law Virgil ‘Joe’ (Vivian) Beemer, Dean Beemer, Bryce (Beverly) Beemer, Dale Beemer, & niece Jayne Chrouser.

Gary was a quiet, unassuming man, who lived his Faith and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He loved his Lord and Savior, his Faithful Community Church and church family. And of course, he loved his three boys, Jeff, Monte, and Clint. He felt so blessed to be close to them and especially the grandkids. He loved to watch them play sports in any weather. He felt he was truly blessed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Faithful Community Church, 719 Benton Avenue. Corning, IA, Matura Food Bank or Corning Opera House.