John R Hensley, 72, a life long resident of Canton, passed away on April 15, 2026 at The Pavilion at Edgefield after a 4 year battle with cancer. Born on August 24, 1953, he was the son of the late Thomas Maynard and Mary Sears. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joni (Capeheart) Hensley and his brother Donald Hensley. John spent 30 years employed with The Timken Company prior to retiring and was also a longtime employee of Harrison Steel Plant, where his strong work ethic and commitment never went unnoticed. He was also a proud member of the Louisville Eagles and the VFW. John loved to try his luck with gambling and lottery tickets, always hopeful for the next big win. He was an avid fan of NASCAR and enjoyed following races whenever he could. A true sports enthusiast, John especially loved baseball and could often be found cheering on the Cleveland Indians. He was also a loyal supporter of the Cleveland Browns, standing by his team through every season. John also cherished his daily routines, especially enjoying breakfast at Ida's Café, where he could often be found among familiar faces. He took pride in riding his four-wheel scooter everywhere he went, decorating it with flags and lights that reflected his personality and made him easy to spot around town. Above all, John will be remembered for his kind and caring nature. Survived by sister, Carol Sears; 2 brothers Thomas (Susan) Hensley, David (Sharyn) Hensley; niece Natalie (Brian) Hensley-Baker; special nephew Jacob, who always cut John's hair; as well as other nieces, nephews, loving family members, and friends. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff from Aultman Hospice, as well as the staff at The Pavilion. Per John's wishes, no services will be held.

Ward-Simchak Funeral Home330-455-0293