Edward Brown Henslee III

Edward Brown Henslee, III, age 82, passed away peacefully at Evolve Assisted Living in Lake Zurich, IL, on July 5, 2025. Ed was married to the “love of his life” Sally Ann (Tibbetts) Henslee. Sally passed away on June 10, 2022.

Ed was born November 14, 1942, in Flint, Michigan, to Edward “Ned” Henslee and Maria H. Henslee. He spent his early years in Evanston, IL, and the Northwest side of Chicago. His family relocated to Woodstock, IL, where Ed attended middle school and high school. Ed spent memorable times during his childhood and teenage summers at the Henslee family farm near Nashville, Tennessee.

Ed was married to Sally on October 20, 1979. They started in Woodstock, and ultimately made their home in Crystal Lake, IL. Sally brought Ed great joy and was his “soul mate.” They enjoyed their Koi Pond, loved watching the colored fish, seasonal visits from Mallard ducks, and nurturing Ed’s love of animals. Ed was grateful for the gift of family from Sally, and his relationships with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ed delighted in the nicknames lovingly bestowed by his grandchildren and great grandchildren referring to him as Beanz, and Sally as Beanzie.

Ed is a graduate of Woodstock High School, and attended the University of Chicago, Lake Forest College, and the DePaul College of Law. Ed served in the Merchant Marine early in his career. As a lawyer, Ed was well respected in the local, national, and international legal communities. During his four-decade career, he practiced at the Chicago law firm of Henslee, Monek & Henslee, established by his grandfather and father, where he was renowned as an advocate for the rights of railroad and other transportation industry workers.

Ed was dedicated to serving his community in numerous ways. He was a Freemason, a member of Wilmette Park Lodge No. 931 in Wilmette, IL, and a Master Mason. Ed played an important role in preserving the original McHenry County Courthouse located on the Square in Woodstock, IL, and establishing The Old Courthouse Inn, the first restaurant to occupy the historic landmark. As a friend of Bill W., Ed served the recovery community for more than 42 years sharing his wisdom, strength, and hope with others so that they may recover from addiction and lead healthy and meaningful lives.

Ed loved to play cards with friends, particularly Gin Rummy - disguising his prowess with a series of moans and groans only to surprise his unsuspecting opponent with a perfect Gin hand proclaiming “what’s the name of the game?” These tactics earned him the title “El Mono” affectionately conferred upon him by his card playing companions.

Ed was a master storyteller. He enriched the lives of those with whom he shared; recounting memories of his love for Sally and the children, his grandfather’s mid-night cooking at the family farm in Nashville, his father’s professional interactions with historic American labor leaders, his mother’s participation in The Old Courthouse Inn, childhood memories of his brother Mark and sisters Ann and Sue, an impromptu debate with famous psychologist B.F. Skinner at Lake Forest College during his college years, his adventures across the Atlantic while in the Merchant Marine, a high school summer job replacing manhole covers for the Woodstock public works department, his widowed mother’s second marriage to famed Chicago radio personality Mal Bellairs, his experiences with US government agencies as a lawyer, regular court appearances before the “Chicago 7” federal judge Julius Hoffman, descriptions of his personal challenges and accomplishments, and a host of other amazing and memorable tales and anecdotes. No tribute to Ed would be complete without mention of his unique storytelling style of taking the listener on a magical journey and concluding with an astounding revelation leaving his audience with an impressionable and memorable experience.

Those close to Ed will not soon forget his great sense of humor and his particular appreciation for paradox. Ed’s robust laugh was contagious and had the effect of providing comic relief even in difficult times. His familiar exclamations such as “Oh Brother” and “I’ll be Darned” will be with us as we cherish our memories of Ed.

Ed’s family and friends would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff at Evolve Assisted Living in Lake, Zurich, and full time caregivers, Sarah and “Maps” without whom Ed’s peaceful transition would not have been possible.

Ed is preceded in death by his beloved wife Sally Ann (Tibbetts) Henslee, his parents, Edward “Ned” Henslee and Maria (Haven) Henslee, and brother, Mark C. Henslee. Ed is survived by: his step-children, Rob (Bridget) Leanna, Kelly (Bill) Hallam, Shannon (Dan) Taylor; his sisters, Ann Henslee and Sue Samet; his step-brothers and step-sisters, Keith (Judy) Bellairs, Pat Bellairs, Kim (Neal) Esterly, Rick (Ellen) Bellairs, Jeff (Cynthia) Bellairs, Chris (Jeannie) Bellairs; his grandchildren, Amanda Antczak (Daniel), Joshua Hallam (Mobashera); Alexandra Kunz (Cody), Sara Taylor, Jeremy Leanna (Katie), Sydney Leanna, Dominic Taylor, Haley Leanna; and 5 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, IL, 60014, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A gathering of friends and relatives will be on Friday, July 11, 2025, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, from 10:00 am until the Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the Crystal Lake Memorial Park. A celebration of life luncheon at the Great Hall at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Crystal Lake is scheduled immediately after Internment.

Donations may be made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014; and/or The Crystal Lake Alano Club, 36 N. Virginia Rd., Crystal Lake, IL 60014