Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph Robert Hennion

Dec. 25, 1964 – July 3, 1987

South Bend Tribune 7/7/1987

Marine Cpl. Joseph R. Hennion, 22, of 2401 Beverly Place, drowned Frifay while scuba diving in Hawaii. Cpl. Hennion was serving in the Marine Corps in Hawaii as a communications-electronic expert. He was stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station on the island of Hawaii.

Cpl. Hennion and two companions went scuba diving Friday morning at Sharks Cove, a popular diving location on the north shore of Oahu, according to Eric Carlson, a spokesman for the station. The other two men, Cpl. William H. Sides Jr. of Lake Placid, Fla., and Lance Cpl. Rickie D. Willis of Alemeda, Calif., also drowned.

The men apparently got lost in a series of naturally formed underwater lave tunnels and were unable to find their way out, Carlson said. A fourth diver who arrived late reported the men missing and their bodies were found early Friday evening, he said.

The incident is still under investigation, according of Capt. George Perkins, a spokesman for the Marine Reserve Center in South Bend.

McGann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Cpl. Hennion was born Dec. 25, 1964 in South Bend. Surviving are his parents, Carol J. and Robert J. Hennion of South Bend; a brother, Michael J., serving in the Mrine Corps in Okinawa; his maternal grandmother, Mary Probst of Niles; his paternal grandparents, Geraldine Hennion of Mishawaka, and Joan and Joseph Hennion of South Bend.

Cpl. Hennion was a 1963 graduate of St. Joseph High School and played center on the school’s 1981 unbeaten and top-ranked football team. He attend St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, Ind.

South Bend Tribune 7/10/1987

Services for Cpl. Joseph R. Hennion, 22, of 2041 Beverly Place, who drowned July 3 will scuba diving in Hawaii, will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. Survivors include his fiansee Laura Larson of South Bend. Friends  may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. in McGann Funeral Home.