Richard W. “Rich” Henning was born August 25th, 1976 in Springfield, the son of Dick and Karla (Engel) Henning. Rich grew up in Athens with two older sisters, Kim (Henning) Keifer and Kara (Henning) Nordstrom.

Rich graduated from Athens Community High School in May of 1994. He enrolled at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois in the fall of 1994 and graduated in December of 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. In March of 1999, Rich enrolled at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. He worked at Donnellan Family Funeral Services during this time. He graduated from Worsham in March of 2000, receiving eight awards.

Following his training in Evanston, Rich served as an apprentice funeral director/embalmer at Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens. Following the year of apprenticeship, Rich received his license in March of 2001.

Upon his licensure, Rich was hired as a full-time Funeral Director/Embalmer at Mott & Henning Funeral Home. Rich’s duties include all funeral home responsibilities which include: consultation with families; preparing necessary notices, authorizations, and consents; coordinating with clergy, cemeteries, musicians, vault companies, etc.; and preparation of the body. He also handles the day-to-day management of the funeral home with his mother, Karla and co-worker Greg Bowles.

Rich also advises families on pre-planning funerals. He became a licensed life insurance producer in 2001 in order to help families pre finance funerals.

Rich’s memberships are centered around the Athens community. He is a member of the Athens Rotary Club, serving as the vice-president and president. Rich is a board member of the Joel Hall Cemetery Association, serving as the current treasurer. He also is a member of the Athens United Methodist Church.

Rich married Valerie DeVillez on March 31, 2001 in Tinley Park, Illinois. Valerie is employed at Illini Central Grade School in Mason City, Illinois as the Director of Student Services. In October of 2008 they became the proud parents of Isabelle Paige.

"Bob" has been associated with Mott & Henning Funeral Home since Feb. 1997, being involved with the many aspects of the funeral home and in general helping funeral home quests anyway that he can. He is a lifelong resident of the Athens area. He graduated from Athens High School and attended Shuetkeff College in Alton, Illinois. He married his wife Leann November 7, 1954 and they have 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren. Bob retired from Ameritech in 1991, as staff manager after 36 years of service. He is actively involved with many area activites including the following: Athens Rotary Club since 1977; charter board member of the Athens Community Park; past elder at Athens Christian Church, currently a member at Westside Christian Church in Springfield; and a board member of the Joel Hall Cemetery in Athens.

Richard "Bud" Yoakum has been associated with Mott & Henning Funeral Home since October 1999. He assists with the many tasks and details of the funeral home and also helps our quests and families we serve anyway that he can. He has been a resident of the Athens area almost his entire life and therefore knows the community. He is married to his wife Carol and has three children. He retired in August of 1998 from Laborer's Local #477 in Springfield, IL with over 29 years of service there. He served in the US Navy from 1965-1969 serving 3 tours in Vietnam. He is active in VFW, Past Master of VanMeter Masonic Lodge #762 and a active member of the Athens Christian Church.