Mr. Donald Eugene “Big Don” Henderson, age 69, of near East Enterprise, Indiana, entered this life on November 24, 1947, in Nancy, Kentucky, the loving son of the late, Eugene Wesley Henderson and Maxine V. (Dye) Beckman. He was raised in Harrison, Ohio and was a 1965 graduate of William Henry Harrison High School. Donald attended the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. Don was inducted into the United States Army on December 9, 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving during the Vietnam War. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Medal (M-14), Expeditionary Medal (M_16), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and 1 Overseas Bar. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 4th Class on November 27, 1968 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Don was united in marriage to Sally Matson and to this union arrived a daughter, Dawn to bless their home. Don was employed for the United States Railroad from 1976 to 1982. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans since 1998. Don resided near East Enterprise, Indiana since 2001. Big Don enjoyed UK basketball, the outdoors, hunting, fishing and his farm. Don passed away at 10:24 am, Sunday, April 16, 2017, at his residence near East Enterprise, Indiana.
Big Don will be dearly missed by his daughter: Dawn Riggs of Cincinnati, OH; his grandchildren: Brittany Wells and her husband: Brian, Ronald Howard Riggs, Jr. and Lilli August-Jean Riggs all of Cincinnati, OH; his great-grandson: Ronald James Miller Wells of Cincinnati, OH; his brother: Richard Beckman of Somerset, KY; his nephew: Ryan Beckman and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Eugene Wesley Henderson and Maxine V. (Dye) Beckman and his step-father that raised him: Richard “Dick” Beckman.
Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, April 22, 2017, at 1:00 pm, by Rev. Ron Lee, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Full military rites and walk through will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vevay American Legion Post #185 Relief Fund. Cards are available at the funeral home.