John Earl Henderson

On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, John Earl Henderson, Jr. unexpectedly passed from this life on to eternity at Carle Hospital in Urbana, IL at a young 40 years of age.

John was born in Danville, IL on the 29th of June, 1980. He attended Danville District 118 schools and later this year received his CDL trucking license from Danville Area Community College through the “Power Up” Essential Skills Coaching program. He proved he wasn’t afraid to work hard by being employed during a period at Rantoul Foods, Courtesy Ford Lincoln as a car detailer, and ultimately starting his own lawn care business.

John enjoyed watching sports, working out to gain strength, music, and playing card games. He was quite competitive in the game of basketball. In football, the Chicago Bears was his favorite team. John was a great thinker with an overflow of compassion for others. He was known as a quiet soul but his smile made you smile. He made it a point to allocate his time for family and friends to bond with them, especially his daughters. He was present as a father and desired to give his children everything they would ask for. He expressed his love to many and overcame many personal challenges in his life. He had a big heart by displaying acts of kindness for random people all over his community. “John Earl” death is surely not in vain and he will be greatly missed.

John is survived by his mother Barbara Evans; father John Henderson, Sr. of Rantoul, IL; his sister Tia Awodeha (Henderson) and shared siblings Jontasia Dowell, Terrion Dowell and JaKia Payne of Urbana IL; his daughters Jabryah and Jazyah Henderson; their sister Azariah Collins; 14 nieces and nephews; a special cousin Otis Boyd; special friends Montres Reed and Yasmia Shaw; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. John is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lettie B. Tillman; his maternal grandparents, Margaret Smith; three uncles, Tyrell Henderson Sr., Smith Evans, and Edward Smith; cousins Dorsey Boyd Jr., Deron Boyd, Demetrius Groves, and Tyrell Henderson Jr.

A Celebration of Life will commence at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday November 18, 2020 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 304 E. Williams St., Danville. A Visitation will begin at 11:00 until the time of the service. A public viewing will be from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesday November 17, 2020 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home.

 Due to CDC regulations, restrictions will be enforced

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