Robert Joseph “Bob” Henson, 83, of Festus died Dec. 24, 2019, at Crystal Oaks Nursing Center in Festus. Mr. Henson was a retired mechanic with the former River Cement Corporation in Festus. He was a longtime member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City, where he served as Sunday School director for 25 years. Born Feb. 3, 1936, in Bonne Terre, he was the son of the late Merraine (Wright) and Charles William Henson.
He is survived by his wife: Peggy ( Pratt) Bauman Henson; four daughters: Catherine (Bob McKeown) Henson of St. Charles, Barbara (James) DeRousse of Festus, Mary Beth (Michael) Ross of Crystal City and Karen (Doug) Beckham of Kansas City; four sons: Michael J. (Patricia) Henson of St. Charles, Paul (Trena) Henson of Orange Park, Fla., Charles Bauman of Creve Coeur and Keith (LaQuita) Bauman of Herculaneum; a daughter-in-law: Mindy Henson of Kiev, Ukraine; three sisters: Sue (Jim) Moore of Festus, Joan (the late Marion) Crawford of Festus and Brenda (Danny) Shelton of Festus; three brothers: James (Evelyn) Jackson of Crystal City, Jack Jackson of Brownsville, Texas, and Randall (Vicki) Jackson of Hillsboro; a sister-in-law: Kathleen Henson of Crystal City; 16 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife: Mary Kathryn (Lucas) Henson; a son: David Henson; a sister: Rose Ann (the late Harold) Hamby; a brother: Arthur Henson; and a granddaughter: Carly Ross.
Funeral services were held Dec. 28 at First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City, officiated by Dr. Charles McLain. Burial was in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.