Steven Wayne Henninger

Steven (Steve) Wayne Henninger, age 67, passed away Friday, July 23, 2021 in a tragic auto collision.

Visitation and Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel (Groesbeck, TX), with Pastor Jon Honea officiating.

Burial will be Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Glade Creek Missionary Baptist Church/Youngblood Cemetery, which is located in the Ming’s Chapel area, 5 miles southwest of Gilmer, TX.    The cemetery is at the corner of Crabapple Road (which is off FM 2685) and Locust Road.

While your comfort in attire is most important, we encourage anyone who wishes to attend either service to wear camouflage in remembrance of Steve.

Pallbearers will be Doug Brod, Allen Burris, Ronnie Brod, Chase Brod, and Henry Borchard.    Wayne Bara will be an honorary pallbearer.

Steve was the youngest of three children born to James Clint Henninger and Edna Ruth Wratislaw in Ada, Oklahoma on October 26, 1953.  Leading up to graduation from Boswell High School (Ft Worth, TX) in May 1972, his extracurricular time was invested in football, baseball, and playing the saxophone.

After meeting Melanie in March of 1977, they dated for a few months before eloping on July 22, 1977 in Houston, Texas.  Their love poured into dogs of various breeds as they showed each of them in annual dogs shows and astutely managed each dog’s health and well-being, for which they often won awards.

Steve retired from Shell Deer Park Refinery in 2014 after 38 years of dedication and hard work.  As Uncas to his workmates, they collectively describe Steve as a good and fine man, friendly, polite, and a hard-worker.  Labeled as an awesome co-worker with compassion, never raising his voice, they knew a job would flow easier with Steve involved. 

In his spare time, keeping up a deer lease - in Uvalde, Tx and later Cleo, Tx - gave him much to look forward to, all for the purpose of hunting, of course.  His time in Uvalde was treasured not only for the obvious hunting but for the 25+ years of quality time spent with his father-in-law, Melvin.  What’s more is the bonded relationship built with his ‘brother from another mother,’ Allen Burris, for 40+ years, notably the last 8 at the Cleo lease.  Additionally, his passion for Native American history and culture seemed to have fueled his appreciation for mother nature as well.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Ray Henninger; and Parents-In-Law, Melvin Theodore Engelhardt and Barbara McCann Engelhardt.

Steve is survived by wife, Melanie Engelhardt Henninger (Age 64); brother, James Edward Henninger (Age 70); sister-in-law, Joyce Engelhardt Brod (Age 62) and her husband, Raymond Douglas Brod (Age 61); niece, Krista Brod Borchard (Age 37) and her husband, Ralph Henry Borchard (Age 38); niece, Shawna Henninger Rothlis; niece, Tracie Henninger Thrasher; niece, Brandy Henninger; nephew, James Christopher Henninger; and a healthy group of long time friends, hunting buddies, and colleagues.

Any gifts of remembrance and acknowledgment of Steve’s life are strongly encouraged exclusively to the American Diabetes Association.  You have the option to contribute anonymously, or you can advise family in the donation process online with an e-card sent to [email protected]