Henry Kibler

Henry Lee Kibler, most recently of Diamondhead, MS, passed from this world and rejoiced in the next on January 28, 2022. He was most certainly welcomed with great fanfare by those he had loved and lost over his well-lived 97 years, especially his beloved wife, Evelyn.

Henry was born on June 7, 1924, in Mt. Rainier, MD to two of the loveliest and kindest people you could ever meet, Dorothea and James W.D. Kibler. With his best friend, older brother Milton, and his dear little sister Naomi, they were a happy family.

At 18, Henry looked a few years younger than his actual age. His poor mother was shocked when he took himself down to the recruiting office and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. He served honorably in the Pacific during WWII until 1945. His favorite “war story” was his decision to seek shelter from strafing Japanese warplanes under a fully loaded aviation fuel truck. Thankfully, he survived. In 1949, Henry reenlisted, this time in the newly formed U.S. Air Force, and served in the Korean War.

After his military service, Henry joined the Federal civil service as a draftsman and cartographer with the Defense Mapping Agency in the Washington D.C. area. It was there that he fell in love with a beautiful co-worker, Evelyn. Her sisters worked there also and a romantic plot to get them together proved successful – he married his “darling” Evelyn and became a stepfather to 5 children, most of them teenagers! He loved and cared for Susan, Carol, Charlie, Bobby, and Katie – and their children and grandchildren – for the next 55 years.

After both retired from the federal government, Henry and Evelyn moved to Diamondhead in 1987 to enjoy the fruits of their labor. They joined three of Evelyn’s siblings – locally known as “The Sisters” – and their husbands in a genuinely fun retirement full of parties and charitable work. The Kibler House became a revolving door of visitors and good cheer – friends and family came to laugh, play canasta, and enjoy their company. Eventually, Carol, Charlie, and Katie all moved to Diamondhead to be near them.

Henry and Evelyn were members of Diamondhead Community Church, where he served as an Elder and was honored as 1998 Man of the Year. They were active in the Krewe of Diamondhead and Henry served as King in 1995. Henry was creative and artistic – he drew beautiful sketches and participated in the Diamondhead Garden Club, winning several blue ribbons for his arrangements. He was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and he supported the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, the WWII National Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution.

After the passing of Evelyn in 2011, Henry slowed down a little, but continued to enjoy dining out as a voracious seafood connoisseur. In his last years, Henry was cared for by a team of wonderful women and the family gratefully acknowledges their love and devotion – Lou Ann Cox, June Curtin, Chelsea Bradley, and his niece, Charmaine Reshew.

Henry is survived by Susan Wetzl (Ralph), Carol Hense, and Robert Hense; 6 grandchildren, Lisa Ellsworth (Brian), Julie Andrews (David), Michael Wetzl, Michelle Woodhull (Richard), Susannah Deaton (Daniel), and Jake Chasse (Ashley); 10 great-grandchildren, Grace, JD & Nate Ellsworth, Cooper & Will Andrews,  Graham Woodhull, Clark & Iris Deaton, and Edynn & Evelynn Chasse; daughter-in-law, Pam Hense; his son-in-law, Albert Chasse;  sisters-in-law, Betty Kibler, Trinna Miller; and many nieces and nephews. His memory will be cherished by all.

A service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Diamondhead Community Church, followed by a scattering of ashes in the Memorial Garden.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Rd., Pass Christian is serving the family. An online guestbook may be signed, and photos and condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.