Brenda Fields Henry, a Heritage House resident, passed away on Tuesday August 5, 2025, at the age of 84.  She is the daughter of Vera Ellis Fields and Kenneth Fields.  She was born on January 20th, 1941.  Kenny and Vera moved to Connersville shortly after, when they heard there was work in Connersville near the end of the Great Depression.

Brenda attended Maplewood Elementary School, Connersville Junior High and Connersville High School, graduating in 1959.  She received her elementary education degree from Ball State University in 1963 and began her first teaching assignment at 8th Street School in Connersville.  She also taught for one year at Spring Mill School in Washington Township in Indianapolis.  She completed her teaching career in Fayette County, teaching 1st grade at Orange and at Maplewood Schools with time off to stay at home with her children until they were both in school. During that time, she sold real estate for Suhre and Lingle Real Estate firms.

While in high school Brenda was an Honor Roll student and belonged to several clubs and organizations including Rainbow Girls. She was selected as the Home Coming Queen in the fall of 1958.

After High School, Brenda was in a few beauty contests and was named Miss Southeastern Indiana in the Miss Indiana contest. One summer, she was named Queen of the Lakes at Lake Wawasee. While at Ball State, she was an honorary Colonel in the Air Force ROTC queen contest, and an officer in her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.

Brenda married Connersville native, Hilton Henry, on August 7 th, 1965 at Connersville First Baptist Church. Together they raised two daughters. Michelle Henry Birdwell and her husband Darrell Birdwell reside in Fishers, IN. Mindy Henry Hartwell resides in Columbus, IN, with her husband Scott Hartwell.  The Hartwell's have three daughters, Lauren, Leah, and Lindsey.  All three girls will be students at Purdue University this fall.  She is also survived by her brother, Donald and his wife, Jeanne Fields, as well as several nieces and nephews.

While living in Connersville, up until the time of her Alzheimer's diagnosis, she was a very active community member.  Some of the organizations included Tri Kappa Sorority, ADOU, Questers, First United Methodist Church, Eastern Star, Connersville Country Club, and Bridge Club.  She enjoyed sewing, knitting, travelling and finding a good bargain while shopping.  Brenda was the caregiver for her parents, Kenneth and Vera Fields, until their deaths.

Funeral services will be conducted at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday August 12, 2025, at 1:00 pm with Pastor Don Zlaty officiating.  Friends and family may gather and share stories and memories from 11:00 am until the hour of the service. Brenda will be laid to rest at Dale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, the Alzheimer's Association or the Connersville Lions Club Major Civic Project Fund through the Fayette County Foundation.

Urban Winkler Funeral Home is honored to assist Brenda's family with her arrangements.