Herrin- Julia A. Hennig, 86, of Herrin, passed away at 3:15 AM, Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Parkway Manor in Marion.
Julia was born on September 19, 1930 in Herrin to Dr. Ernest L. and Johnnie B. (Sides) Hennig. She had attended the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Marion.
She was a Herrin High School graduate and then went on to receive her Bachelors and Masters of Music in Piano at the University of Michigan. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from Boston University. She then studied in Paris, France the complete piano works of Claude Debussy with Marcel Campi, who had coached with Debussy himself. She went on to perform solo recital and chamber music throughout her lifetime. Julia taught piano, music theory, piano literature and music literature for 40 years at Concordia University in River Forest, IL where she was professor of Music and Chair of the piano department.
Julia also studied at Valparaiso University to become a Lutheran Deaconess. She served as a Deaconess in Lutheran parishes in Minnesota and Chicago, IL. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi social sorority, Sigma Alpha iota professional music fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda honorary music fraternity and achieved Master teacher status within the Music Teachers National Association.
Survivors include several cousins
Close Friends- Sandra Colombo of Herrin
Ginger Murray of Carbondale
Steve Wente of Chicago
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; 1801 Westminster Dr; Marion, IL 62959. Pastor Mark Surburg will officiate. Burial will follow at Herrin City Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held from 10-11am on Wednesday at the church. Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin is assisting the family with final arrangements.
Memorial donations are suggested to Concordia University Music Department and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13th St.; Herrin, IL 62948. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.