November 27, 1924 - December 10, 2023
Bradenton, Florida - John Richard "Dick" Henke was born on November 27, 1924 in Anna, OH, the son of Arnold Henry and Naomi Marie (Komminsk) Henke. He passed away on December 10, 2023 in Bradenton, FL. Dick was a member of the greatest generation and lived a life of service to others. Everyone who knew Dick, knew him to be a man of integrity and kindness, with a mischievous sense of humor. He was a loving husband and father and a true and loyal friend to those who were his many friends. He was a man dedicated to his faith. His life was well lived.
He graduated from Sidney High School, Sidney OH, in 1942, having earned varsity letters as a quarterback in football, guard in basketball and in track. He then graduated from Peddie Preparatory School, Peddie, NJ, where he also played football and basketball. Dick interrupted his higher education to enter the United States Army during World War II. He was a Sergeant in the Artillery, landing in France shortly after D-Day in 1944. Serving in the Rainbow Division, he was awarded a Bronze Star during the Battle of the Bulge. He was part of the American Occupation Forces in Austria following the end of World War II and was discharged in 1946. During his time in Austria he was starting halfback for the Rainbow Division football team.
After his Honorable Discharge, Dick enrolled at Miami University, Oxford, OH, where he played football until an injury cut short his playing days. He and his high school sweetheart, Virginia Caroline Stump, were married on July 14, 1947 - they lived happily together for 62 years until her death in 2009. Dick graduated from Miami University in 1949 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. They then moved to West Lafayette, IN, where Dick enrolled at Purdue University, receiving a Masters Degree in Bacteriology in 1950. He was pursuing a Doctorate in Dairy Technology when he and his wife returned to Sidney, OH to operate the family business, Sidney Dairy Products, due to the illness of his father.
Dick was proud to serve as the owner and operator of Sidney Diary for more than 35 years and to give back to his community in a number of different ways, including Member and Chair of the Council of St John's Lutheran Church, Chair of the Committee to found the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA and Board Chair for dozens of years, Member of the Wilson Memorial Hospital Board, Member of the Board of Directors of Citizens Baughman Bank (the local Bank One affiliate) as well as involvement in numerous other civic organizations.
In 1986, Dick sold Sidney Dairy and he and Virginia began spending winter months in Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, FL, where they then resided permanently from 2001. Dick and Virginia joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Bradenton and were devoted members, with Dick serving as Treasurer and on the Church Council.
Dick and Virginia were the proud parents of three children, all of whom survive: Bruce Henke, Barbara (Bob) Eilert and Brad (Suzanne) Henke, all of whom reside in Bradenton, FL. He also is survived by grandchildren, Barry (Dawn) Eilert and Holly (Dwayne) Hall; great grandchildren, Samantha, Alexis, Olivia and Keaton; great-great grandchildren, Theodore and Mabel. A sister, Marjorie and brother, Robert, predeceased him.
Services will be 2PM, Friday, December 15, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2200 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice.
