Charles Henley, age 90, of Valley City, ND, died Sunday, January 20th at Mercy Hospital in Valley City. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 2nd at the All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church on Saturday, February 2nd. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cathedral in Fargo, ND.
Charles Wilbert Henley, the son of Wilbert and Maude (Johnson) Henley, was born November 28, 1928 in Devils Lake, ND. Charles grew up and attended school in Devils Lake and after receiving his education joined the US Army. Charles served four years in the US Army playing trumpet in the Fourth Army Band. On July 2, 1955 he married Odella Johnson in Devils Lake, ND. Charles then attended the University of North Dakota and later Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary in Gambier, OH. Charles was ordained an Episcopal Priest on March 11, 1958. He first served churches in Grafton and Park River and later was a cannon at Gethsemane Cathedral in Fargo. Charles moved to Valley City in December, 1963 to serve as Rector at the All Saints’ Episcopal Church. While in Valley City he attended Valley City State University where he received his secondary teaching certificate. Charles taught math at Fingal and Hope, ND until his retirement. Charles has continued to serve as the Priest of the All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Valley City until October, 2018. Charles enjoyed playing trumpet in the VCSU Band and the Valley City Community Bank. He also bugled taps for Memorial Day Services for over 15 years.
Charles is survived by his wife, Odella; a daughter, Deborah Larson; two granddaughters, Nicole (Michael) Nelson and Ashley (Henry) Jung; eight great-grandchildren, Isabelle Henley, Samuel Grote, Sydney, Star, Sky and Sarah Nelson and Adelle and Charlize Jung.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John and Robert, his son David, a grandson Richard and his son-in-law Kirk Larson.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to VCSU, the Barnes County Museum or a charity of choice.
The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com