Carl Henderson

Carl Henderson was a man of strong character, one with a great mind, an appetite for life and an incredibly admirable work ethic. His family and friends will remember this active man for his commitment to his career and community, his love for his family, and his passion for competitive shooting, gunsmithing, hunting, fishing, camping and traveling. Carl always held himself up to a high standard, and because of his zestful pursuance of life, he reaped the rewards of a loving family and great friends.

In 1926, life was good in the United States. Americans were enjoying relative peace and prosperity. World War I was over, and the Great Depression had not yet threatened the U.S. workforce. For Hugh Robeson Henderson and his wife, Marie (Richards), the highlight of this year was the birth of their son, Carl Wilbur, on December 10th at home in their farmhouse in Fulton County, Indiana. Carl was the middle of three children and grew up in the company of his older sister, Mary Margaret, and younger sister, Metta Lou.

Carl was only three when his family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. In 1939, as Carl was finishing up the eighth grade, his family made another move to Union City, Michigan. Here, he found his place among the student body at Union City High School, where he played the trumpet in the school band, had roles in both the junior and senior plays and was vice president of his senior class. Music was a big part of Carl’s teen years as he was a member of a five-member dance band called the Jive Bombers. To earn some pocket money, Carl had a paper route, delivering the Battle Creek Enquirer and newspaper, and clerked at Dancer’s Department Store.

Carl excelled in his studies in school, and went on to graduate as Class Valedictorian at Union City High on June 1, 1944. Just three days later, he followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps (3705 AAF Base Unit). Carl had tried to enlist when he was 16, but his mother wouldn’t sign his enlistment papers. Once out of boot camp, he was sent to the Michigan College of Mining and Technology to attend an Army Specialized Training Program to become a pilot. He completed his training on March 8, 1945, however, by this time, pilots were no longer needed, so he was sent to school to learn to be a mechanic. In November 1945, Carl received his honorable discharge from the service, and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

Shortly after returning home, Carl began pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, attending Tri-State College in Indiana. With great pride, Carl was initiated into the Sigma Phi Delta Fraternity and graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in September 1947. With his degree in hand, Carl quickly found work at American Steel Package Company for a couple of years in Defiance, Ohio as a Tool Designer until July 1949. A month later, he was back in Union City, where he went to work as a Tool Designer for H.B. Sherman and the American Stamping Companies. After 9 years, Carl left American Stamping and began working for the Post Division of General Foods Corporation in Battle Creek in 1958. He was only here for 3 years before he went to The Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo to work as an Area Maintenance Engineer and later as the Manager of all of the Maintenance Shops. In 1986, after enjoying a fulfilling career, Carl retired from Upjohn as Corporate Director of Energy and Compliance.

Although Carl worked hard to achieve success as an engineer, there was nothing more important to him than his wife and two children. He married his beloved wife, Joan Marie Scherry, on September 3, 1950, and they shared 60 wonderful years together, raising two beautiful children, Michael Carl (1953) and Karen Marie (1957), and creating many cherished memories as a family. Though Carl’s family and work kept him quite busy, he valued his community and was actively involved in many organizations. True to his alma mater, he became an honorary life member of the Mechanical Engineering Society of Tri State on January 25, 1951. He was also a life member and past Master of the Union Lodge #28 F & AM in Union City, a member of the Chapter #53 Royal Arch Masons in Union City, Union Post #196, and American Legion in Union City, where he also served as Post Commander. Additionally, Carl was a member of the American Institute of Plant Engineers, Union City Michigan Village Council, Union City Michigan School Board, Schoolcraft Township Planning Committee, Boy Scout Master in Union City and Vicksburg, Michigan, and member of the National Rifle Association and local Gun Club. When it came to his leisure time, Carl enjoyed hunting and fishing for many years, and camping and traveling with his beloved wife, Joan. One of his favorite pastimes was competitive shooting and working as a gunsmith. He enjoyed, building replica antique muzzle loaders, which he later used in shooting competitions and won many awards and championships.

Carl’s hard work provided him with a full and happy life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Carl Wilbur Henderson, age 83 of Vicksburg, MI died on Sunday, July 26, 2010, at Amber Way. Visit with his family and friends, view his life story films on Thursday, July 29, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg (649-1697). A Funeral will be on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Margaret Hobday. Carl’s survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joan Henderson: son, Mike, and wife, Sherri; daughter, Karen Hill and husband, Mike; granddaughter, Christie Hill Moore and her husband, Tiny; grandsons, Greg Hill and his wife, Holly and David Henderson; and his sister, Metta Lou Henderson. Please visit Carl’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Community – Amber Way or The Alzheimer’s Association.