Sheldon Craig Heninger

Sheldon Craig Heninger
Craig was born in Logan, Utah on April 8, 1959 to Sheldon P. and Lynette Harston Heninger. He grew up in Logan, the oldest of 7 children. Craig was always curious, even as a child, which sometimes got him in trouble. He worked hard in his father's businesses and played hard, enjoying the outdoors and spending time hiking, fishing, and hunting. He was athletic and enjoyed playing basketball and was known to take "quick" 5k walks.
He graduated from Logan High School and then attended one year at Utah State University before serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oakland, California. He returned to Logan and USU and met his future wife, Ruth Homedew, in a ballroom dance class. Craig and Ruth were married in March, 1982. Craig graduated with a degree in Mathematics from USU and continued working for his father for a few years before moving, with 2 children in tow, to Corvallis, Oregon attending Oregon State University. He graduated with an MBA and began teaching business courses at Western Oregon State College, now Western Oregon University. During this time 2 more children joined the family. He left WOSC in 1995 to work as a process engineer at Hewlett-Packard and worked there for almost 15 years. He then returned to OSU and obtained a Masters in Public Health and worked as an assistant clinic administrator until he realized that wasn't the career for him. He was lucky and again became a process engineer and project manager, this time for Levi Strauss & Co. After 7 years, and finishing many projects, his position was cut at about the same time health issues were beginning, which brought an early retirement. In November of 2023, he was diagnosed with ALS, giving it a good fight until his body gave out on October 3, 2024.
Besides work, Craig was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many different ways but enjoyed working with the youth the most. Craig also loved sharing his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others and did so with word, deed, example, and smiles, even up to his last days. He touched many lives with his service, smiles and sense of humor.
Craig was always mindful of others, seeing the best in them, and helping them become better. He was patient with everyone, including himself. He loved learning and teaching others. His children have fond memories of working alongside him on household projects. He was a talented woodworker and handyman. He made furniture, built-in cabinets, dressers, bread boxes, dice trays, and many other things, usually while working with and teaching his children.
The family enjoyed spending time together playing games, watching and quoting movies, camping, hiking, and visiting many national parks
Craig was lucky to find more family later in his life. Getting to know them enriched all of our lives.
Craig will be greatly missed by his family: wife, Ruth; children: Alan (Kym), Alison, Janae, and Jacob; his father, Sheldon Heninger; siblings: Barry (Shirley) Heninger, Shelly (Gary) Housley, Sandy Heninger, Andrea (David) Zook, Michael Heninger, Brian Heninger, Wendy (Ken) Eck, and Randy Pearson; and his second parents, Frank and Janet Pearson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lynette Heninger, and brother, Jerry Pearson.
Services will be held October 11, 2024 in Corvallis, Oregon. A viewing will be held at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by a graveside service at Locke Cemetery, 5610 NW Locke Cemetery Rd., at 12 noon. Craig requested a celebration instead of a funeral and a BBQ party will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1205 NW Walnut Blvd, at 1:00 PM. Anyone whose life was touched by Craig is invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to ALS Northwest at http://secure.alsnorthwest.org/goto/S_Craig_Heninger