John Edward Henderson was born June 3, 1930, and passed away May 7th, 2025. He was born in Hebron, NE and later moved to Beatrice in 1931. He passed away peacefully with his wife by his side in San Juan Capistrano, CA

John graduated from Beatrice High School in 1948 and attended Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, MO and then graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1952 where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. After college, John married Ann Penner on August 6th, 1952, at Christ Church Episcopal in Beatrice and celebrated 72 years of marriage together. This union was blessed with two children, Mary Henderson, Rancho Mission Viejo, CA, and Brad Henderson, Omaha, NE

After graduating from UNL, he went into the Army and then served in the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant for 2 years. John was honorably discharged at Ft Carson, Colorado.

In 1954, John joined his father working at the family dealership, Paul Henderson Motor Company.  After his father’s death, he owned and operated the dealership until 1978 when he sold the business.  John continued as a salesperson at the dealership until he retired in 2006.  He was a past director of the Nebraska New Car Dealers Association, past President of the Christ Church Episcopal Foundation, and served several terms on the Christ Church vestry. 

John was very active in his church, Christ Church Episcopal- Beatrice, NE, and then later at Christ Church Cathedral- Hartford, CT and St. Margarets Episcopal Church-San Juan Capistrano, CA.

John was a devoted husband and father, was gifted with a wonderful sense of humor, he never met a stranger and was a devoted and avid Husker fan. 

John is survived by his wife Ann (Penner) Henderson; children Mary Henderson, CA and Brad Henderson of Omaha; along with his 2 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held in Beatrice at a future date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Christ Church Episcopal Foundation and the American Heart Association with the funeral home in charge.

We invite you to share your memories of John, or upload photos to his memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. It is in these shared experiences and captured moments where we can remember and celebrate the life of John Henderson.

 These local arrangements have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.