HENDERSON, June Edrie

Copper Basin News Hayden, Az. 1/28/11 June E. Henderson, of Kearny, died on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2011, ending a life lived well and honorably. June was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Robert R. Henderson, her youngest daughter Beverly Jean Henderson, and brothers James Hill Hunt and Roy Harding Hunt. Born June Edrie Hunt, June 1, 1927 in the town of Florence to the late David Hill Hunt and Gertrude Bell (Amalong ) Hunt, June was the only sister of three brothers, James Hill Hunt, Roy Harding Hunt, and George Franklin Hunt, all Loving her dearly. June attended and graduated from Florence High School in 1944 after also attending Foshay Junior High School in Los Angeles. June was an active part of the student body at Florence High School, considered “a spark-plug” by some of her ex-classmates who remember her as a fun loving and competitive person. She was the first girl to be allowed to compete on what had been an all men’s Tennis Team, also the Women’s Softball Team, and the Track Team. An intense competitor, she was considered an outstanding athlete at that time and enjoyed challenging competition. June played the piano at that time, and was also the Drum Majorette of the Florence H S Marching Band. During high school, she also worked as a telephone switchboard operator, earning money she hoped to use for attending college at the University of Arizona in Tucson to major in Art. She was already well known in the area and admired at school for her artwork. During her last years in high school, June was a USO Hostess. She and her brother Roy gave dance exhibitions there and at many other locations. They were considered as talented as any professional dance team of the time. There was a Japanese and German Prison Camp in Florence at that time. Army soldiers who had served their term overseas in World War II had an opportunity to be stationed in Florence near the end of their commissions. It was there that she met Army Corporal Robert R. (Bob) Henderson, her loving partner in life and marriage. They were married on June 18, 1946. Bob and June moved to Massillon, Ohio, then back to Florence; again in Massillon, back to Superior, then to Ray, until the town was to be evacuated and taken over by Kennecott Mining Ind.; they finally settled in Kearny in the summer of 1958. Being one of the first families to arrive in Kearny, Bob and June became active members of their community from the start, getting involved and working toward building a better place to live for all; participating and leaders in the PTA, 4H, Town, County, and state Government, along with many other school, and local organizations. June was a precinct committee woman, spearheading and strategizing many a county or state campaign for people she and Bob felt were worthy to serve. She also supported her husband in his many community improvement endeavors as well as his election campaign coordinator, and his service within the community in many official and unofficial capacities. June began her pProfessional life as a Metallurgical Accountant in the Administrative Office of Kennecott Copper, Hayden January of 1957, retiring in 1986. She then secured employment within the Pinal County Offices in Florence as an Assistant to the Head of Human Resources, working there a number of years before retiring again. Near the end of her life, June was still active in the community as a Commissioner on the Board of Adjustment of Planning & Zoning for the Town of Kearny. In all her professional and community capacities, June was well thought of and respected for her fair, honest and forthright approach to problem solving and dealing with people. Bob and June raised five children in Kearny: Robert D. Henderson (Charlotte) of Sun City, Barry A. Henderson (Marla) of Casa Grande, Brenda “Babe” J. De’Wolf (Ed) of Delta, Utah, Beverly Jean, deceased, and Brian Wayne Henderson (Shirley) of Kingman. Bob and June were active members of the Kearny Church of Christ, the Apache Junction Church of Christ, and for a time June was also an active member of The West Olive Church of Christ in Peoria, Arizona. Among her fellow Christians, she was greatly admired and sought out for her knowledge of the scriptures. She taught Bible Classes for many years. June dearly loved her brothers and sisters in Christ. She is survived by her brother George Hunt of Kelvin; her afore mentioned children, and her grandchildren, Tarah Henderson Cannon, Ginger Henderson, Hilary Henderson, Giselle De’Wolf Callahan, Merissa De’Wolf Schipper, Camille C. De’Wolf, Tristan L. De’Wolf, Ryan L. Henderson, and Cassi E. Henderson Lightner; great-grandchildren, Avery Lynn Schipper, James Robert Cannon and Griffin Brett Callahan. June took great delight in, treasured and deeply loved her family, taking a particular joy and pride in her grand and great-grandchildren. One of June’s greatest joys upon retirement was to return to her artwork. She was a naturally gifted and talented artist, drawing and painting from an early age without instruction. Her poor health in recent years prevented her from finishing many works in progress, and she had active plans for countless others. June will be mourned and greatly missed by her family, friends, and neighbors alike. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 29, Saturday, at 1 p.m., at the Apache Junction Church of Christ at 609 S. Grand Dr.( from Apache Trail, turn South on Ironwood, turning East on Broadway , turning right on Grand Dr.) Services will be in joint coordination with the Kearny Church of Christ. Please join us in celebrating her life. Their will be an open microphone if you’d like to honor her by sharing a memory with us.