When you search for robert c henry obituaries, you aren't just looking for a date of death or a list of surviving relatives. You’re essentially digging into the bedrock of Ohio's civil rights history.
Robert Clayton Henry wasn’t just a name in a ledger. He was the guy who broke the glass ceiling in Springfield long before most of the country even knew where the hammer was. Most folks today might recognize the name from the funeral home on South Center Street, but honestly, the story is much bigger than a business. It’s about a man who became the first Black mayor of an Ohio city in 1966—a time when that kind of thing just didn't happen in a place like Springfield.
The Man Behind the Robert C Henry Obituaries
If you’re looking for the original Robert C. Henry, he passed away back in 1981. He was only 60 years old. Cancer. It’s a tragedy that took him just as his influence was reaching national levels. But if you see more recent listings under the same name, don't get confused. His son, Robert C. "Bobby" Henry II, carried the torch until he passed in 2017.
Then there’s the funeral home itself. It has been a community pillar since 1951. When people search for these obituaries, they’re often looking for the services the home provides today. The family has kept the doors open for generations, which is rare. Like, really rare. Especially for a Black-owned business in a town that has seen its fair share of economic swings.
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Why Springfield Was Different
In 1966, the City Commission appointed Henry as mayor. This was a big deal. Why? Because Springfield was majority white. Usually, these "firsts" happened in cities with huge Black populations, but Henry had this way of bridging gaps. He was a Republican, a funeral director, and a guy everyone seemingly respected.
President Lyndon B. Johnson noticed. So did Nixon. They actually sent him to Vietnam on fact-finding missions to look at non-military activities. Imagine that. A guy from Springfield, Ohio, advising the White House on international affairs while running a mortuary back home.
Understanding the Recent Listings
Sometimes people land on robert c henry obituaries because they are looking for a specific relative who was handled by the funeral home recently. Just in the last few months of 2025 and moving into early 2026, the home has handled several prominent local figures.
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The most recent family loss was Alan S. Henry, who passed in July 2025. He was Robert Sr.'s son and Bobby’s brother. It’s been a rough few years for the Henry family tree. Then you have Annetta Henry, who passed in November 2025. When a name is that synonymous with a city, every passing feels like a chapter of a book being closed.
Identifying the Right Record
Since there are multiple people with this name in the public record, here is a quick way to tell them apart:
- Robert C. Henry (The Pioneer): 1921–1981. The Mayor. The legend.
- Robert C. "Bobby" Henry II: 1952–2017. The son who ran the business for decades.
- The Funeral Home Records: These are current. If you see a date from 2024, 2025, or 2026, you’re looking at a client of the business, not the man himself.
The Complicated Side of the Legacy
We have to be real here. Every legacy has its bumps. Toward the end of Bobby Henry II’s life, there was some legal trouble involving Social Security benefits. It was a messy situation that went to federal court. He claimed he was trying to help a family he couldn't reach, but the law didn't see it that way.
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Does that erase what the family did for Springfield? Most locals would say no. You can’t walk through downtown without seeing the Robert C. Henry fountain. You can't talk about local politics without mentioning him. People are complex. History is messy.
What to Do If You’re Searching for a Record
If you’re trying to find a specific obituary hosted by the Henry family, don’t just rely on a generic Google search. Go straight to the source. The Robert C. Henry Funeral Home website has a "Tribute Wall" for every person they’ve served. It’s way better than those third-party sites that try to sell you flowers and pop-up ads.
- Check the Date: Ensure you aren't looking at the 1981 or 2017 records.
- Verify the Location: Many Robert Henrys exist in the US, but the "C" usually points to the Springfield, Ohio branch.
- Look for the "Way": The funeral home is located at 527 Robert C. Henry Way. If the obituary mentions that address, you’re in the right place.
Actionable Steps for Researchers and Families
If you are doing genealogy or just looking for a friend’s service, keep it simple.
- Visit the Official Site: Go to robertchenryfuneralhome.com. They update it almost daily.
- Social Media: They actually post service details on Facebook, which is often faster than the local newspaper.
- Visit the Marker: If you’re in Springfield, go to South Center Street. There’s a historical marker there. It’s worth the five minutes to stand where history was made.
The robert c henry obituaries are more than just death notices; they are a rolling record of a community's heartbeat. Whether it's the mayor who advised presidents or the granddaughter continuing the work today, the name remains a fixture of the Midwest.