Jack Heffner Wenning, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
April 12, 1930 – December 25, 2018

USAF (RET.) Lt. Col. Jack Heffner Wenning, 88 years old, passed away on Christmas Day at home in Hunt. He was born and raised in Euclid, OH by Meyer and Ruth Wenning on April 12, 1930. He was married to Joan Miller Wenning.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, served in the Air Force for 20 years, and was part of the Green Hornets Special Operations in Vietnam. Col. Wenning received numerous awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued to work in aviation upon leaving the Air Force. After moving to Hunt he enjoyed volunteering at the Hill Country Youth Ranch.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents Meyer and Ruth Wenning, his wife Joan Miller Wenning, his sister Marge O’Connell, his nephew Philip O’Connell, and his step-grandson Mathew Sames.

He is survived by his children: Anita (Frank) Rothwell, George Wenning, and Patrick (Bill Toscano) Wenning, grandchildren Caitlin Alyce Rothwell and Gideon Rothwell, and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving him are his stepchildren Rocky (Patty) Bruni, Michelle “Micky” (Richard+) Jones, and Triana (Richard) Sames and step-grandchildren Sarah (Philip) Crow, Ernest (Ginger) Bruni, Catherine Bruni, Brandon Jones, Richard Sames Jr., David Sames, and several step-great grandchildren.

In keeping with Jack’s wishes, a graveside service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Friday, March 1, 2019 at 2pm.

Memorials may be given to Hill Country Youth Ranch (https://youth-ranch.org/). The family of Jack wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Heart Choices Care Management, Visiting Angels Boerne, and Alamo Hospice.

The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels
.com by selecting the “send condolences” link.

Arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.

Published in Express-News on Jan. 4, 2019

~ GUEST BOOK ~

January 13, 2019
Anita, So very sorry to learn of the loss of your dad. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
~
Clare & Daniel LaFond, Seattle, WA

January 7, 2019
Blessings and peace to you all. To our fellow Hornet, May he rest in the everlasting arms.
~
Jerry and Adele LeChien, Florence, OR

January 7, 2019
Anita,
Our heartfelt condolences to all who loved your dad. May his memory be a blessing.
~
Jeanne & Bud Hisle, Bethesda, MD

January 7, 2019
Saddened to learn that Col. Wenning has passed away. He was a Brother Green Hornet of the 20th SOS during the Vietnam War flying highly classified and hazardous helicopter missions. God rest his soul.
~
Jim Burns, USAF RotorHeads, Navarre, FL

January 7, 2019
Anita, Our heartfelt condolences to all who loved your dad. May his memory be a blessing.
~
Jeanne & Bud Hisle, Bethesda, MD

January 4, 2019
I still remember a picnic in our back yard at the Kingston house, it was my birthday or HS graduation, and he brought me a beautiful silk bag with a bracelet and ring set with several colors of Jade, he got when an leave while serving in Vietnam…. he couldn’t talk much about what he was doing, but he seemed at peace and confident in his service in the helicopter unit…he was a great storyteller
~
Helen O’Connell-Short