Richard K. Henney

Richard K. Henney, 77, 1100 Juniata Ave., Huntingdon, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at his residence in Smithfield.

Born Sept. 9, 1948, in Huntingdon, he was the son of the late Glenn R. and Elaine F. (Easton) Henney. Rick’s first union was to Maxine Price Henney who preceded him in death and his second union was with Liz ltinger-Heidel Sept. 27, 1988, in Winchester, Virginia.

He is survived by his five children, William P. Henney, Huntingdon, Michelle E. Nicholas and her husband, Andy, Hesston, Shawn Bowser and his wife, Melinda, Huntingdon, Bill Heidel and his wife, Patty, Mill Creek, and Heather Whitsel, Mill Creek; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, Gary Henney and his wife, JoAnne of Huntingdon, Patricia Norris and her husband, Dale, Hesston, Danny Henney and his wife, Andrea, Harrisburg, Tim Henney and his wife, Lori, Huntingdon, Rob Henney, Marienville, George Henney and his wife, Lori of Utah, Larry Decker and his wife, Rayleen, State College, and Lorrie Decker of Tennessee.

Rick was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Amber M. Henney.

Rick graduated from Huntingdon Area High School in 1966.

He entered the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in November 1966. His Air Force career in the air transportation career field was 27 years and seven months, obtaining the rank of chief master sergeant (E-9), which is the highest enlisted rank in the USAF. He had served overseas tours in Vietnam, Guam, Japan, Hawaii and Okinawa. His stateside base was McGuire AFB, New Jersey, as he was assigned there for seven different tours. He was awarded several decorations and medals, to include four Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, one Joint Service Commendation Medal, five Air Force Commendations Medals and one Air Force Achievement Medal. He got his military discharge in 1993.

Rick was very active in local veteran organizations. He served as a post adjutant and as senior vice commander of Standing Stone VFW Post 1754 and was also past commander of the Huntingdon County Veterans Association. Rick was also a member of Frank P. Hommon American Legion Post 24 in Huntingdon, while serving in the county veterans association, he has several different areas of responsibility to include Veterans Day parade chairman, which includes invites to all parade attendees, coordinated drivers and assembly locations for the parade.

He also served as food committee chairman, ensuring food was purchased and prepared for the post parade feed at VFW Post 1754. One of Rick’s proudest duties during his retirement was serving on the American Legion Post 24 and Post 520 and VFW Post 1754 Honor Guard, providing military honors for deceased veterans in central Pennsylvania.

Rick drove school bus No. 21 for Grubco Busing for Standing Stone Elementary School in Huntingdon. He was also a rural mail carrier in Huntingdon, doing several different routes. He was also elected as a Smithfield Township Supervisor. Rick retired in 1995.

Rick loved challenges. In 1995, when he retired, he, Liz and his Uncle Jim Metz totally remodeled his grandparents’ (George and Florence Easton) house in Smithfield (their current residence) from the bare-bone walls. The house was originally built in 1926.

Rick was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, with Liz and daughter Heather assuming primary caregiver duties. He was very proud of his family and grateful for them.

Aside from his time spent in military service, he was a lifetime resident of Huntingdon County

Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Cutright Funeral Home — Smithfield Chapel, 313 Fairgrounds Road, Huntingdon. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. immediately following the visitation. Jay Buchanan will officiate.

Full military honors will be accorded at the funeral home after the service.

Interment will be made privately.

Flowers should be omitted and memorial contributions may be made in memory of Richard Henney to Standing Stone VFW Post 1754 — Huntingdon, 522 Penn St., Huntingdon, PA 16652 or Huntingdon County Humane Society, 11371 Schoolhouse Hollow Road, Huntingdon, PA 16652.

Online condolences may be shared at www.huntingdondailynews.com/obituaries.

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