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Pollyanna (Hooton) Hensell, age 92, of Centreville, died Monday, November 28, 2011 at the Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. She was born in New Carlisle, IN on October 14, 1919, the daughter of William and Kate (Norris) Hooton. Polly graduated from New Carlisle High School in 1937. On November 16, 1940 she married Harold A. Hensell in South Bend, he preceded her in death on March 17, 1996 after 56 years of marriage. Together they had purchased a farm in 1949 in the Centreville/Constantine area. After raising 4 sons, and retiring from farming in 1965, she moved to a home on Hoshel Rd in Centreville, where she lived for 35 years.
Polly was the Three Rivers Welcome Lady for a number of years making many lifelong friends. She worked at Carls Jewelry Store, Mastercraft Furniture, and Bonfoey Jewelry in Three Rivers. She was on the Centreville Covered Bridge Days Committee, a member of the Centreville United Methodist Church and chancel choir, the Amos Sturgis D.A.R., the Florence Women’s Club, & the Three Rivers Red Hatters, hats were her passion. In 1988 she was the St. Joseph County Homemaker of the year, & in 1989 was crowned Granny Queen at the Michigan Farmer’s Hall of Fame. The list goes on & on, our “energizer bunny” as we called her didn’t have the word “can’t” in her vocabulary. We will miss her greatly.
Polly was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Gene H. Hensell, 5 brothers, and 5 sisters. Polly is survived by three loving sons, Jack R. (Kathleen) Hensell, Constantine, William A. (Jean) Hensell, Centreville, Thomas Hensell, Bronson, daughter-in-law Christine Hensell-Friedel,Mendon, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 1 great great granddaughter, sister-in-law Gladys Hoot0n, Missouri, and brother-in-law Len Belsaas, New Carlisle, IN.
Relatives and friends will be received Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. at the Eley Funeral Home in Centreville. Religious Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Centreville United Methodist Church, with Reverend Dr. Karin Orr officiating. Interment will be at Calhoun Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Centreville United Methodist Church, or the charity of your choice. Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
