John W. Henninger

John W. Henninger, 80, of Rebersburg, formerly of State College, passed away Friday, May 13th at Mount Nittany Medical Center, surrounded by his family.  John was born to S. Walker and Dora E. (Cogley) Henninger in Philipsburg on April 20, 1936.  He was a 1954 graduate of Penns Valley High School and a 1975 graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.  On October 29, 1961 in State College, he married the love of his life, Evonne E. “Vonnie” Esterline.  Vonnie survives at their home in Rebersburg. 

In addition to his wife, John is survived by three children; a daughter, Carolyn Grove of Bellefonte and her children, Nicole Holsinger (Steve) of Dover, DE and Melissa Etters (Jeremy) of Zion; one son, Chris Henninger (Leoda) of Bellefonte and their children, Chris Henninger Jr. (Nikki Thompson) of Howard and Danielle Henninger of Bellefonte; and a daughter, Tracy Deitrich (Frank) of Bellefonte and their children, Frank Deitrich Jr. (Cassandra) of Millheim and John Deitrich (Chelsea Royer) of Pleasant Gap.  Also surviving are six great grandchildren, Hayden, Mason, Tatum, Emma, Dylan and Maxwell and one brother-in-law, Jan Esterline (Debbie) of Nashville, TN.

John proudly served his country from 1954-1963 in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard 112th AC&W Flight.  He was on active duty in Germany in 1961 for the Berlin Crisis.  He worked for Cecil Hironimus Plumbing, State College Sheet Metal, Nittany Trailer Sales, Centre Tech Detective Agency, College Township Police Department and State College Borough Police Department, retiring in 1995.  He also worked Grange Fair Security for many years.

John was a member of many organizations which include; State College Lodge 700, Bellefonte Royal Arch Masons Chapter #241, FOP Lodge 51, Scottish Rites Bodies in the Valley of Altoona, Nittany Antique Machinery Association, Central District Firemen Association, American Legion Keystone Post #444, Millheim Lions Club, Centre County Law Enforcement Camp Cadet (counselor for 25 years), Miles Township Fire Company, Alpha Fire Company (Life Member), Alpha Ambulance Service (attending over 500 calls), Little German Band of State College, Coburn Brass Band, Penns Valley Men’s Chorus, Brush Valley Community Choir, Cardiac Squad for Penn State Football Games, 2009 Miles Township Bicentennial Committee and United States Bowling Congress.

John was a member of Pine Hall Lutheran Church in State College and St. Peters Lutheran Church in Rebersburg.  He was an avid bowler in Bellefonte, Millheim and State College (bowling a 299), a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Penn State Nittany Lions and NASCAR.  He was also a collector of Allis Chalmers memorabilia and an avid reader, with a main interest in WW II history. 

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, May 16th from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm at the New Hope Lutheran Church, Rte. 45 Spring Mills.  There will be a one hour visitation at the church on Tuesday the 17th prior to the funeral at 11 am with Pastors Tom Searfoss and Brandon Cian officiating.  John will be laid to rest in the Lutheran Reformed Cemetery in Rebersburg at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Centre County Camp Cadet, Inc., State College Police Department, 243 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801. 

 Service Information