James Michael Hennig, 61, of Marietta, Ohio, died in New Orleans, La., on July 16, 2012.
He was the son of former Fire Chief William C. Hennig. Born and raised in Highland Park, he attended public schools here. In his early adult years, he performed a heroic feat, rescuing two persons involved in a boating accident on Lake Michigan. He swam more than a mile with each while bringing them to shore. His interest in swimming and diving continued throughout his lifetime as he worked as a diver and instructor on an occasional contract basis for various ocean drilling petroleum producers off the coasts of Scotland and Africa, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recreationally, he flew private planes, travelled overseas, captained a yacht and did some skydiving. He resided in Marietta, Ohio, where he had owned and managed an Allstate Insurance agency. After retirement, he spent time at his vacation home in New Orleans and managed his property interests there.
He is survived by two daughters, Erica (Jason) Handschumacher and Stephanie (Michael) Dunn; two brothers, William W. and Steven Hennig; two grandchildren; an aunt, Mary Lou Morelli of Highland Park; and an uncle, Frank Hennig of Clarendon Hills, Ill.
A memorial service will be held in the Marietta, Ohio Presbyterian Church at 10 a.m. Aug. 25. Burial was private.
