Clarence A. Henning, 96, of Troy, Ill., born March 8, 1913, in Peoria, Ill., passed away Sunday, April 5, 2009, at The Fountains II in Troy, Ill. Clarence was reared on a farm near Camden, Ohio.

Mr. Henning was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan, receiving his bachelor degree with the class of 1934, and a masters degree in 1952 from the University of Illinois. He retired in June, 1977, after serving 15 years as the Triad Community Unit superintendent. He began his career as a high school chemistry-physics teacher and coach at the Troy High School. He later became Triad High School's first principal in 1959. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, Epsilon Chapter, at Ohio Wesleyan. He belonged to the Educational League of Illinois, Metro East Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, National Association of Secondary Principals, and the American Association of School Administrators. After retirement, he was twice elected to serve on the Madison County School Board, served as a board member of the Southwestern Illinois Agency of Aging, and for 12 years he was a reading monitor for fourth grade students in Harlingen, Texas.
Clarence was honored as Troy Citizen of the Year in 1953. Lions International Foundation presented him with the Melvin T. Jones Fellow Award and Certificate of Appreciation. He had 66 years of active membership with the Troy Lions Club. In 1988, the Triad Board of Education named a newly built elementary building the C.A. Henning Elementary School. Mr. Henning was honored as Superintendent Emeritus in 2008. He was a member of the Troy United Methodist Church and the Troy Senior Citizens. Clarence and his wife belonged to several bridge clubs and enjoyed their retirement years traveling in the U.S. and Europe.

Mr. Henning was preceded in death by his parents, William F. and Grace, nee Applegate, Henning; a sister, Frances, nee Henning, Montgomery; and his wife of 67 years, Ethel L., nee Young, Henning, whom he married on May 4, 1941, and who died on March 1, 2009.

Surviving are his children, Carol (Terry) Taake of Troy; Kay (Sy) Korte of Lebanon; and Don (Lynn) Henning of St. Charles, Mo.; grandchildren, Derek (Jennifer) Korte; Mark (Angie) Taake, Stacy (Eric) Postma, Leah (Jeremy) Corbitt, Ty Taake, Gina (Nathan) Nelson, and Christina, Lani and Michael Henning; great-grandchildren, Evan, Spencer, and Adam Korte, Alyssa and Aidan Postma, and Allison and Joseph Corbitt.

Memorials may be made to the Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, Ill., or the Triad District Teacher Scholarship Fund.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2009, at the Laughlin-Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, Ill., and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2009, at the Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, Ill.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2009, at the Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, Ill., with Pastor Dennis Price officiating. Interment will be held at Friedens Cemetery, Troy, Ill.