Gene C. Hensel

Gene C. Hensel, 87, a life resident of Strasburg, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

He was born on June 24, 1937 in Canton and was a son of the late Clete and Kathryn Mosher Hensel. Gene was also preceded in death by his siblings, Virginia Deuker, Mary Bitikofer, Betty Flatley, Mildred Davis and Diana Harper.

Gene married his high school sweetheart, Vina A. Krantz upon graduating from Strasburg High School in 1955. After working at the Citizens-State Bank of Strasburg for seven years, Gene transferred to the Strasburg Savings & Loan Co. (now SSB) in 1964. After graduating from the Ohio Savings & Loan Academy he spent the next 58 years serving the local area by providing loans to local families and businesses, having retired in 2015, and retired from the Board of Directors in 2021.

Gene was very active in community affairs, he and his wife developed the original Strasburg Industrial Park bringing in Kinder Manufacturing, Orrville Leather, Ceres Hatchery, Leiden Cabinet Co., Tyler Transfer, International Tank & Trailer Co. and General Merchandise Co. to the area, promoting community development and tax support for the school and Village of Strasburg, and employment for local residents. He served on the Strasburg School Board, St. John United Church of Christ church council, and was an officer in the local civic association, which promoted the area's businesses and the local school system. Gene was a key figure in the development of the Sandlewood Estates residential at the south end of Strasburg. In his spare time, he enjoyed being with his family, attending the sporting events of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed working with Vina on their small farmette, gardening and snow skiing with family and friends. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Strasburg for over 50 years, and New Pointe Community Church in Dover where he served in various capacities the past 22 years.

He enjoyed, and supported the Strasburg Tigers athletic programs and was inducted into the Tiger’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1955 basketball team, which came within three minutes of advancing to the State Finals in Columbus that year. He was also recognized by the Tiger Foundation’s 2018 Class of Distinguished Alumni.

A wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather, Gene will be sadly missed by his wife of almost 70 years, Vina Hensel. They were blessed with three children, Douglas Hensel (fiance, Michelle Festi), Lynn (Mike) Durbin) and Chris (Chrissie) Hensel; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeremy) Portmann, Jace (Carrie) Hensel, Stephanie (Chris) Garcia, Jessica (Scott) Barkley, Kaitlin (Eric) Johnson, Emily (Matt) Barker, Evan (Giovanna) Hensel; fourteen great grandchildren, Autumn, Noelle and Finley Portmann, Braxton and Aria Goehring, Kase Barkley, Recie and Margaret Johnson, Zachery, Alexandria and Jacob Garcia, Josie and Bennett Barker; step grandchildren, Drake and Presley Wilson; brothers, Bill Hensel, Bob (Rita) Hensel; sisters, Wanda (Dave) Wells, Carol Murphy; brothers in law, Jim Harper, Dick Deuker; and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has been entrusted to the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Strasburg. A service celebrating Gene’s life will be held on Friday, February 7th starting at 6:00 pm in the New Pointe Community Church, Dover with Pastor Dwight Mason officiating. There are no calling hours prior to the service. The family will be greeting friends after the service where a dinner, and a time of fellowship, will be held in the adjacent hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support patients and their loved ones at Aultman Hospice and Compassionate Care Center. Gifts can be made online at Aultman.org/hospicegifts or by sending a check made payable to The Aultman Foundation, 2600 Sixth Street SW, Canton, OH 44710.