Irvin LeVern Henman

Irvin LeVern Henman, age 93, passed away in Topeka Kansas on Friday, August 22, 2025 in the supportive care of Aldersgate Home Plus, along with Interim Hospice. He was a considerate, gentle, caring soul who touched the lives of so many with his kindness and humor. 

For many months, Irvin and his daughter, Brenda, enjoyed reading a book, which resulted in a special blessing of time for both of them. They nearly finished the book in August. It was taking so long because much reading time was pleasantly and often, surprisingly, interrupted with laughter, tears, smiles – brought about by the book story itself, but then also motivated sharing their own life stories, along with family stories and memories – the good, the bad the ugly. The book also lead to long discussions of changing social traditions, customs and norms, older words and expressions and new inventions of convenience, new technologies, etc – which then led to searches on Google. A gracious and attentive time shared together – a new time, a new place. (Half Broke Horses, A True Life Novel by Jeannette Walls) This book helped them recapture their relationship after many years apart.

Irvin was born on May 9, 1932 in the family home in Augusta Kansas, to Perry W Henman and Dorothy R (McBee) Henman. He graduated from Augusta High School in 1950 and later attended Butler County Community College where he studied electronics. He was self-taught with computer programming and various computer software when home computers came on the market.

Irvin started working at a young age of 12, washing dishes at a hotel in Augusta KS for one year. He began working with his Dad in 1945 at the Allis-Chalmers Farm Store and then worked at Jarvis Auto supply in 1959, both in El Dorado KS. He worked at various times in aircraft manufacturing plants in Wichita KS.

He began work with Skelly Pipeline in 1962 and continued through the company transitions to Getty Oil Inc and finally to Texaco Inc. From 1972 -1992 he traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast checking pipeline switching/pump stations. He retired from Texaco Inc in 1992.

Irvin was married to Billie “Dee” (Holderman-Campbell) 1951, Barbara A (Lietzke-Campbell) 1968 and Treva C (Wilson-McDaniel) 2013. He lived in Augusta, El Dorado, Cunningham, Leon and Towanda Kansas, returning to El Dorado in 2021. He moved to Topeka, Kansas in March 2023.

Irvin loved to square-dance in his younger years. He also loved watching KU Jayhawk sports, especially basketball. KC Royals and the KC Chiefs were a satisfying past time, but nothing on the level of KU sports. He enjoyed his time with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as opportunity allowed. They all enjoyed being with him. His delight became bowling with his step-son and many friends throughout his years of retirement, in El Dorado, Augusta and Wichita. He stopped driving and bowling when he took a fall in October 2022.

He referred to Frances L (Outon-Holderman) Thompson, fondly, as his “other mother” and has spoken warmly and often of all her children; including Jim, Joyce, Duane, Jerry and Judy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Perry A Henman, brother Ivan L Henman, sister Iris L (Henman) Lawrence, his wives Billie D, Barbara A, and Treva C, and his step-son Michael J Campbell.

He is survived by his daughters, Brenda D Henman and Shelley L Henman of Topeka KS and Kristina M (Campbell) Henman of El Dorado KS. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Laura D Allen of Rogersville MO, Clinton J Campbell of Leon KS, Ashley A Merz, Joshua Delaney, Edwina Gibson of Wichita KS, Ellen Kirkman and “honorary” daughter Charla Shipley of El Dorado KS, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

His inurnment will be in El Dorado, Kansas at Walnut Valley Memorial Park at a date not yet determined. A photo-slide video will be available at this obituary page at a later date.