---Vali Volo Ballantine McHenry, age 93, passed away on May 19th 2015 after living a happy and fulfilling life. She was born in Chicago in 1922 and was the only child to parents Vali Volo Eden Ballantine and Edward Ballantine. Her only burden in life was her unusual name. She graduated from Grinnell College, Grinnell Iowa in 1944. After graduation she worked for Bell and Howell drawing radar maps during WWII. In 1948 she married the love of her life, Edwin Thomas McHenry who preceded her in death in 1992. Vali Volo Ballantine shed her unusual name and became Val McHenry. Ed and Val lived from many years in the Chicago area with their six children: Pamela Ann (Allen) McQueen, Barbara Jane (Bryan) Sykora, Edwin Thomas (Margaret), Margaret Mary Jackson, Teresa Louise (Peter) Katz and John Patrick McHenry. In 1969, the McHenry's moved to Marshall Michigan. They loved Marshall and became involved in Marshall Historical Society having two homes on the home tours. Always a gardener, Val was also a member of the Marshall Garden Club and helped initiate the annual Marshall Garden Tour. Never one to stay idle, Val tried many new occupations after she raised her children. She worked as writer for the Wilmette and Evanston Life weekly newspapers, returned to school to be a florist, opened an antique store in Marshall and also worked in a jewelry store. In 2004, Val moved away from Marshall to live at Porter Hills retirement community in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she passed away. Her 6 children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and one great grandson will hold great memories of Val McHenry.
---On Friday June 22nd, 2015, there will be a memorial service at 3:30 pm in Dining Room Alcove B, Porter Hills Village 3600 E. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids MI 49546. Visitation will take place at the Craig Kempf Family Funeral Homes, Marshall Chapel 723 US 27 North on Friday, May 22, 2015 from 6-8pm with family present to greet friends at that time. A graveside service will take place at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall with Deacon Mike Moreno officiating.