Ruth Risner Henn

Ruth Risner Henn, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026, at Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. She was 83 years old.

Ruth was born May 6th, 1943, in Pineville, KY, the sixth of thirteen children, to Henry Clay and Laura (Denny) Risner of William’s Branch holler, near Pineville, Kentucky.

Ruth was a lifelong caretaker who had a selfless, generous spirit. From a young age, she helped her mother raise her younger siblings, and in retirement she fulfilled her promise to her parents to care for her younger sisters, Joyce and Marie. At the encouragement of her older brothers, David and Mearl, Ruth took advantage of financial aid to attend Eastern Kentucky University, where she graduated in 1967 with a B.A. in Social Sciences. There she met Ron Henn of Dayton, Ohio, and the two married in December of that year. They eventually moved to Eldorado, Ohio, before settling in Richmond, Indiana, where they lived for nearly 30 years.

The majority of Ruth’s career was spent as a Diet Technician at Richmond’s Reid Hospital. In 1975, Ruth became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and remained a member of that faith until her passing.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Ronald Henn; and siblings William Isaac Risner, Violet (Risner) Malinski, Marie Risner, Daniel Risner, and Mearl Risner.

Ruth is survived by her three children, Ron Henn, Jr., and wife Paula (Torrez) Henn; Jason Henn and wife Anna Kates; Tiffani Henn and husband David Deutsch; grandchildren Nathan, Daniel, and Alma Henn; her siblings David Risner, Lilly (Risner) Denny, Philip Risner, Samuel Risner, and Joyce Risner. 

The family of Ruth Henn will receive friends on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Cawood Funeral Home Chapel, Middlesboro, KY. Funeral services will immediately follow at 7:00 p.m.

Interment will be private. 

Online register book and condolences are available at www.cawoodfh.com.

All arrangements for Ruth Henn are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.