Gene Wesley Henninger
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Gene Wesley Henninger of Blairsville, GA., passed away on May 23, 2021 at the age of 83. Gene was born in Bellefonte, PA., to Gladys Zeigler Henninger and Paul Wesley Henninger. He was preceded in death by his parents and a step-son, Tim Colyer. Gene lived most of his early years in Spring Mills, PA. There he attended Penns Valley Joint High School where he played multiple sports and excelled in school. He graduated in 1956 as Valedictorian of Gregg Township. Gene enjoyed hunting in the mountains that surrounded the valley, and fishing in Penns Creek, which flowed beside his family home. After graduating high school, Gene enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1957. There he trained as an air traffic controller. He then enlisted in the Army in 1963, where he continued in the air traffic control field. He married his beloved wife, Donna (Yoder) of Lewistown, PA. in 1965, and proudly served a year in Vietnam from 1967-1968. After an honorable discharge, in 1975, Gene again followed his career path as an air traffic controller with the FAA, working at several airports on the east coast until his retirement in 1995. Gene and Donna retired to Blairsville in the North Georgia Mountains, where they have spent the last 27 years living happily in their cozy cabin. He enjoyed family golfing, hunting, and shooting in retirement years. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna of Blairsville, GA, son- Robert (Kelly) of Belmont, NC., step-daughter- Diane Talbot of Granbury, TX., granddaughters- Maelyn & Rachel Henninger of Belmont, NC., and Alicia Downard (husband- Mike Gilfix) of Austin, TX., sister- Gail Ingram (Jack) of Belleville, PA., and brother- Gary Henninger (Beverly) of Elizabethtown, PA. He is also survived by a niece, a nephew, and great nieces & nephews. The family will receive friends from 1-4pm on Sunday May 30, 2021, at the home in Blairsville. A military veteran's ceremony will be held graveside in Pennsylvania at a later date. Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com