Penny Francine Henderson

Penny was born in Stockton, California to Eleanor and Frank Kerkenes and raised by Eleanor and her second husband Gene Bynum. She lived most of her life in the San Joaquin Valley of California before moving to Bloomington, Indiana in the fall of 2020. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked for over thirty years at two local hospitals and a long term care facility. In retirement she also helped her husband start and run a self-storage business.

Penny’s greatest passion was her kids and their families and she traveled many times and to many places to visit them as they moved around for their military careers. She loved capturing photos of these adventures and of course they were always printed in triplicate for family distribution. She also loved horses and enjoyed riding her Foxy and Rhea until she got thrown one too many times.

Penny also loved cats with Meow-Meow, Baby Boots, Ming and Sweetie being her faithful, feline companions. Hearing Elvis Presley sing made Penny smile and she was also an avid doll maker and darts enthusiast for a time.

Penny is survived by her daughter Lisa Crowhurst, son-in-law Jamie Crowhurst and their daughter SSgt Ellé Crowhurst, as well as her son Bill Gering, daughter-in-law Beth Gering and their son Jeremy Gering as well as his wife Meagan Gering. She is also survived by cousins Carol Timmons, Marilyn Sola and Millie Lawrence as well as her lifelong friend Judy Prater and her fellow mom to the kids, Marcine Crowhurst. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Henderson, her mother Eleanor Bynum, “Daddy” Eugene Bynum, father Frank Kerkenes and step-mom Melba Kerkenes, as well as her beloved half-brother Buck Kerkenes and half-sister Tonnie Kerkenes.

Condolences can be sent to 3servinghim@gmail.com and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnels to Towers and the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington.