Ernest Hensley

Ernest Hensley, aged 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 16, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. Ernest leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Mershel Woods Hensley of East Bernstadt, KY, three beloved children, Yvonne Tudor (John) of East Bernstadt, KY, Calvin Hensley of Dayton, OH, and Elaine Hensley of Dayton, OH, and one grandson, Brandon Tudor (Faith) of Carmel, IN. Other survivors include, one brother, Eldren Hensley (Martha) of Lexington, IN, and one sister, Delphia Rice of Austin, IN. He is also survived by a host of cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Maud Couch Hensley, and one sister, Thelma Rice.

Ernest was born on March 01, 1934, in Clay County, KY. He learned at a very young age how to hunt and be industrious. He married Mershel Woods on November 13, 1954, in Oneida, KY. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He worked as a coal miner and traveled as a construction worker before moving his family to Ohio in 1966. There he became a member of the Painters and Allied Trades Union, where he worked as a painter until his retirement in 1984. He was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel due, in part, to his contribution to the community he loved of Saul, KY.

Ernest was hard-working, adventurous, fun-loving and enjoyed travel. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and riding ATV’s. He also loved visiting with his family and friends and he never met a stranger. After Mershel’s retirement in 1997, they moved back to their childhood homes in Kentucky and spent the winter months in Foley, AL, where they spent some of the best times of their lives.

The family welcomes family and friends from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the Chapel of Wolfe & Sons Funeral Home, 23185 Highway 421, Hyden, KY. A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:00 P.M. with Bob Rice and Jerry Rice officiating. The obituary and eulogy will be delivered by his beloved grandson, Brandon Tudor.

The family wishes memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass Care Navigators.

The family has entrusted Wolfe & Sons Funeral Home with the arrangements.