New London, IN - Lawrence James Hensley, 87, New London, Indiana, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 4:49 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, at Summit Health and Living facility in Summitville, Indiana, next to his loving daughter.

Larry was born on July 9, 1938, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Melvin L. Hensley and Glenellen L. Brown. He was a longtime member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. He attended Meridian Grade School, Central Junior High and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1956. One of his favorite high school memories was the senior trips to Washington, D.C., and New York City.

After high school, he worked for John Knipe Florist and Village Florist in Kokomo, as well as Adrienne's in Noblesville, Indiana. While at Knipe's, he was privileged to work on some of the most elegant and largest weddings Kokomo had ever seen.

Larry was drafted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 13, 1961. He served his country as a military policeman with the 204th MP Company at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. His security clearance led him to travel across the United States and abroad in Italy. While in Pierre, South Dakota, he was part of President John F. Kennedy's security detail at the dedication of the Oahe Dam.

Following his military service, Larry continued working in the floral industry in Kokomo and Tipton for many years, eventually owning his own shops. He also served as the club manager of the Tipton Elks Club and bar manager of the Kokomo Elks Club. He was a life member of Tipton Elks Lodge #1012.

Larry was an active member of the Kokomo Knights of Columbus Council #656, where he served as Grand Knight from 2013-2014. He also participated in the Fourth Degree Assembly #1568 and served in their Color Corps, where he was elected Faithful Navigator for seven years.

Larry married Henrietta "Hedy" Aerne in 1960 in Kokomo. He later married Joan Biros in Highwood, Illinois, in 1965. In 1984, he remarried Hedy, and together they enjoyed 30 wonderful years. Larry and Hedy loved visiting historic destinations like Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon, Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, Mount Rushmore, and made several trips to St. Louis, Missouri. They also visited many Frank Lloyd Wright homes, including Fallingwater.

Together they shared a passion for dancing, especially to early '50s rock and roll and big band music. They would often travel to cities like Indianapolis and Chicago just so he could dance with the "best dancer ever."

He is survived by three children: Jon Newlin (Julie) of New London, Robert Hensley (Noreen) of Lebanon and Anastasia Hensley Key (Barrett) of Alexandria; three stepsons: Jeff Newlin (Christine) of Atlanta, Georgia, Mike Newlin of Birmingham, Alabama and Chad Newlin of Buffalo, Indiana; 13 grandchildren: Nicholas and Natalie Newlin (Jon and Julie), Alex Hensley and Megan Byrne (Robert and Noreen), Etta, Everly and Emilyn Key (Anastasia and Barrett), Henry, Mary Beth and William Newlin (Jeff and Christine), Ella Newlin (Mike) and Nathaniel and Hannah Newlin (Chad).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hedy; a stepson, Tony Newlin; and a grandson, Andy Hensley.

A funeral service celebrating Lawrence's life will take place at noon Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E Main St., Russiaville. Burial will follow in Crown Point Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Greentown American Legion. Friends are invited to visit the family from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Gibault Children's Services, www.gibault.org/donate/. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.