Robert Nial Henry

Robert Nial Henry, age 78, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully at Ohio Living Cape May on Monday, May 5, 2025, following an extended illness. His wife, Susan Gregory Henry whom he married May 1, 1966, survives. They had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.

Always known by his middle name, Nial was born February 15, 1947, in Xenia, Ohio to the late Robert and Phoebe Fife Henry. In the tradition of the Henry family, he was a lifelong farmer with a highly successful hog and crop operation on Melvin and Prairie Roads alongside his brother Bruce until their retirement in 2003. He then enjoyed a second career as a realtor and auctioneer with Kersey Real Estate in Wilmington.

He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1965 and had served in the Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972.

Nial was a longtime member of the Wilmington Lions Club, where he was Past President and Zone Chairman and received the Melvin Jones award for dedicated service. He had been a member of the local Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and for many years he was a volunteer at Clinton Memorial Hospital. Nial had a private pilot's license and for a number of years owned his own Cessna.

He was raised in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Wilmington and was an active member there most of his life, serving as Trustee, Deacon, and Elder. In the last few years he and Susan became members of the Bible Baptist Church in Wilmington.

In addition to his wife Susan, he is survived by his son Thomas Henry (Cheryl Gilbert) of Reston, Virginia, and his daughter Deborah Frost (Spiro Metallinos) of Centerville. Also surviving are two brothers David (Kathy) Henry of Springfield and Bruce (Dorothy) Henry of Wilmington, and a brother-in-law David Starbuck Gregory (Trip Hanson) of Rochester, New York. Other survivors include dear nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Nial was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Anne Gregory Sievers.

Friends may call Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Wilmington. Services will begin following visitation at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend David Starbuck Gregory of the New York Conference United Church of Christ officiating. Following Services burial will take place at New Antioch Cemetery with Military Honors being accorded by the American Legion Post #49 Honor Guard of Wilmington.

Memorial contributions in Nial's memory can be sent to Ohio Living Cape May, 175 Cape May Drive, Wilmington Ohio 45177.

To leave on-line condolences please visit www.arehart-brown.com or see our Facebook page, Brown Funeral Home. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Nial Henry, please visit our floral store.