Henry John “Hap” Horner

Henry John “Hap” Horner, 95, of Collinsville, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2019.

He was born January 9,1924 in Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania to Norman H. and Sarah R. (Krebs) Horner. He married Leah M. (Keuss) Briggs on April 25, 1975 in Fairview Heights.

Henry was an analytical chemist, retiring from Monsanto in 1985. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, American Society for Testing Materials, American Industrial Hygiene Association, First Baptist Church of Collinsville, Hospital Auxiliary, Anderson Hospital, the 58th Bomb Wing Association and 20th Air Force Association. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion.

Henry was extremely proud of his service in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served in the Pacific and was a gunner on a B-29 bomber. He reached the rank of staff sergeant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.

He is survived by his wife, Leah, daughters, Mary L. (the late Gary) Klotz of Troy, Marcia L. (Keith) Oberkfell of Maryville, LuAnne Cummins of Troy, Megan (Jim) Cafourek of Salem, Missouri, Amy (Bill) Sleeter-Hunsche of Collinsville and Tracey (John) Garner of Whitewater, Colorado; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Patricia Allegre Horner; daughter, Linda Diane; stepson, Mark E. Briggs; a grandson, Matthew “Po” Evans; and two sons-in-law, Gary Klotz and Kurt Sleeter.

A memorial gathering was held on Saturday, April 6 at First Baptist Church in Collinsville, followed by a memorial service at the church.

Interment was held in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in  St. Louis, Missouri on Monday, April 8.

Memorials may be made to the New England Air Museum in  Hartford, Connecticut or to First Baptist Church in Collinsville.

Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville was in charge of arrangements.