Glen Hensley, former North Decatur Jr/Sr High School and Billings and Jerman Elementary Schools’ principal, died December 27 in Port Charlotte, FL.
Glen was born in Kirklin in 1930 and was named MVP of the Kirklin High School football team in 1949. After graduation, he served in the US Air Force, and later worked at Delco Remy in Anderson while completing a bachelor of science degree in education from Anderson University in 1957. He obtained his Masters in Education from Indiana University in 1964, and his superintendent’s license from Butler University. He was a teacher in the Westfield-Washington schools from 1961-1967, and was a principal in the Decatur County school system from 1968-1972. He also served as an elementary principal at both Billings and Jerman Elementary in the Greensburg school system, from which he retired in 1987.
Glen was also an ordained minister in the Church of God and served as pastor at the Greensburg Church of God from 1958 to 1960 and pastored the Church of God in Frankfort for five years.
He married Joyce Harwell in 1954 in Charlotte, NC, her home town, and the two were married for 55 years. Glen enjoyed singing, activities on his Decatur County farm, family gatherings, and simple joys such as wildflowers, sunsets, and hugs from students.
Glen moved to Anderson in 2007 with his wife, Joyce, who survives, and together they established the Hensley scholarship for aspiring school teachers/counselors. Debra Cruser, his daughter, of Columbus also survives as does his grandson, Nick Cruser of New York City. He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 of his 8 brothers, and 1 sister.
Memorials may be made to the Hensley Scholarship, care of Anderson University, the Alzheimers Association, or to Tidewell Hospice House of Port Charlotte,Florida.
A visitation celebrating Glen’s life will be held at the First Church of God in Greensburg, IN, 731 N Ireland St, between 2pm and 5pm, Thursday, January 7, 2010.
