ERNEST W. HENSLEY, 90, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday morning, June 23, 2011 at Medicalodge in Douglass, Kansas.

Born on October 25, 1920 in Cushing, Oklahoma, he was the son of Ernest and Theodore Sophie (Winther) Hensley. After his parents passed away, Ernest lived in Wilmot, Kansas with his grandparents and attended rural schools in Wilmot. He worked on the family farm and worked for other farmers including Vernon Drake.

He was united in marriage on December 3, 1938 to Bonnie Northway in Iola, Kansas. The couple made their home in Wilmot. He was employed by Rod Construction in Burden and later Frisco Railroad.

A veteran of World War II., Mr. Hensley proudly served his country in the United States Army/Air Corp. Following his honorable discharge in December in 1945 he was employed by Consolidated Flour Mill as a foreman. When the mill closed he was transferred to Topeka, Kansas and was employed by IH Flour Mill which later became Cargill, working as a foreman there also. He retired in 1983 and the couple returned to Winfield.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #10 for 60 years where he volunteered for several activities and he was also a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge in Winfield. He was a member of the Arab Temple Shriners and had driven dune buggies in several parades. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, camping, gardening, playing cards, going to casinos and his pet dog Cody. The couple had traveled extensively from California to Florida. While in Topeka, Ernest coached and managed an American Legion Baseball Team.

His family includes:
His wife: Bonnie of Winfield, KS;
His daughters: Donna Thompson and husband Barry of Winfield, KS; Nancy Allard of Green Bay, WI; and Bev Samms of Winfield KS;
His grandchildren: Veronia Coon-Steele and husband Larry, Craig Coon, Kevin Coon and wife Carol, Fran Mayfield-Lapham, Aaron Mayfield and wife Jill, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Angela Fitzpatrick-Hofford and husband Chris, Megan Thompson-Whiteley and husband Todd, Erin Thompson-Galaway, Amy Allard-Van Kauwenberg and husband Craig, Mike Allard and wife Cathy, Brian Allard and wife Denise, Jay Allard and wife Laura, Chad Allard, Mike Hatesohl and wife Shannon and Beau Samms and wife Brittney;
His great-grandchildren: Dusty Fulk, Austin Fulk and wife Ashley, Cassie Coon-Bray and husband Jeremy, Zac Coon, Amancha Coon, Elizabeth Lapham, Grant Lapham, Nick Lapham, Caleb Mayfield, Jaden Mayfield, Avery Mayfield, Jessica Fitzpatrick, Erica Fitzpatrick, Vanessa Fitzpatrick, Sydney Whiteley, Robert Van Kauwenberg, Jack Van Kauwenberg, Brett Allard, Kylie Allard, Chase Allard, Olive Allard, Molly Hatesohl, Grace Hatesohl, Addison Samms and Hadley Samms;
His great-great-grandchildren: Kaiden Fulk, Kensley Fulk, Dakota Allard and Dalton Bray; and
Several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughters, Carolyn Mayfield and Velma Coon; his son-in-law, Robert Allard; his brother, James Francis Hensley; and his grandchildren, Jason Barnhart and Chad Coon.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Military and Masonic committal honors will follow at Wilmot Cemetery, northeast of Winfield. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., Monday, June 27, 2011 at the funeral home. The family will greet friends during that time.

A memorial has been established in Mr. Hensley's name for American Legion Baseball. Contributions may be made though the funeral home.