SERVICE UPDATE: CELEBRATION OF LIFE WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2024 FROM 11 AM-1 PM AT THE AURORA FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
MCHENRY, Noel Barnes “Chris” – was born December 13, 1932 in Port Chester, New York to Arthur Charles and Mildred Barnes Emelin; She was the beloved wife of the late Robert McHenry; Devoted mother of Patricia (the late Chiqui) Yaniz, Susan (Tim) Dudgeon and Ernest (Emily) Deck; Step mother of Jeff (Lori) McHenry, Marilyn (Kerry) Craig, and the late Steve McHenry; Dear grandmother of Kris (Jamie) Kinnett and Zoe Deck; Great grandmother of Myles Kinnett; Sister of John Emelin; She moved to Aurora in 1950 and was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora where she was an elder and sang in the choir. She was a news reporter for the local and Cincinnati newspapers, she was also the on air news director for WSCH. She was the first recognized Dearborn County Historian. Chris was formerly in charge of the Lawrenceburg Library Board, Community Foundation Board, Hillforest Historical Mansion Board, Indiana State Museum Board, and Family History Committee of the Indiana Historical Society. She was a founding member and member of the board of directors and secretary of Dearborn County Historial Society. She would also edit the bimonthly newsletter and served on the Program Committee. Chris organized and served on the Dearborn County Cemetery Commission and presented tours of Greendale Cemetery. She represented the historical interests on the Dearborn County Plan Advisory Committee. She was a Chairperson and organizer of the 200th anniversary re-enactment of Lochry’s Defeat ( Indiana’s other Revolutionary War Battle). Chris was the Author of The Best Men of Westmoreland, a comprehensive history of the Lochry expedition and battle. She also has compiled seven volumes of historic records including a listing of Dearborn County marriages prior to the burning of the Court House in 1826. Chris served on a multi-county Underground Railroad committee, compiled history of African Americans in Dearborn County and presented the findings at the Martin Luther King Day Celebration. She prepared a successful application to achieve National Historic Resister status from the Vance-Tousey House. She has helped the local Police and Fire Departments compile their histories and supplied research on fallen police officers for inclusion on the National Police Memorial. She was a winner of the National Genealogical Society’s award, for her book on Indiana research Finding Indiana Ancestors. Chris presented historical programs at schools, libraries, and community organizations. She documented veterans of the American Revolution who lived/died in Dearborn County and documented the burial sites of 75 veterans in Dearborn County. Chris was an active member in the community for many years and she will be greatly missed by friends and family.
Noel Passed away on May 29, 2024 at the age of 91. A celebration of life service will be scheduled at a later date at the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora.