Linda B. McHenry, 80, of Chambersburg, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Brookview Healthcare Center, surrounded by her loving family. Born February 3, 1946, in Lima, OH, she was a daughter of the late Dr. John William Burke and Frida Nordin Burke.
Linda was a 1964 graduate of Lima Senior High School in Lima, OH. She then earned her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. Linda and her husband, Dr. Donnel M. McHenry, Jr., were married on November 30, 1968, in Allentown, PA, where the ceremony was officiated by Donnel’s grandfather, Rev. Arthur S. Deibert.
She dedicated most of her life to making a home for her family. After raising their children, Linda served as office manager at her husband’s dental practice for many years. She was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, where she served as a Deacon, and the Chambersburg Afternoon Club. Linda was an avid reader, enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and going to shows at Totem Pole Playhouse and the Luhrs Center at Shippensburg University. In her earlier years, she taught Jackie Sorenson Aerobic Dancing classes. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and with her beloved dog, Mac. Linda will be remembered for her kindness, gentle spirit, unwavering devotion to her family, and the grace with which she lived her life.
Linda is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Donnel M. McHenry, Jr.; four children, Melinda M. Ocker (Gregory D.) of Chambersburg, Donnel M. McHenry III (Rebecca) of St. Augustine, FL, Ryan M. McHenry (Danielle) of Greensboro, NC, and J. David McHenry of Chambersburg; ten grandchildren, Luke Ocker, Lauren Ocker, William McHenry, Sofia Bianchi, Jax McHenry, Annelise McHenry, Aiden McHenry, Lauren Byerly, Christian Byerly, and Sara Wilson; and three siblings, Suzanne Kelley (Brad) of Lima, OH, Billie Wright (Weldon) of Galveston, TX, and Howard Burke (Rosemary) of Cincinnati, OH. Aside from her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her grandson, Benjamin Gregory Ocker in 2006.
A memorial service to honor Linda’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at The Presbyterian Church of the Falling Spring, 221 N. Main St., Chambersburg, PA 17201. Rev. Tad Schuldt will officiate. Interment in Lincoln Cemetery will be private. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg, PA 17202. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring at the above address, or to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
