Frederick J Henke, Sr. (Camdenton)'s Obituary
Fred Henke grew up in Higginsville, Missouri. He joined the Marines just right out of school. By the time he was discharged, he had two little children and a wife. Soon he would be a father of three.
He came back home to start a job with Lake City Ammunition Plant. There he became a tool and die machinist. He made many friends there.
Then one day he decided that he wanted to learn the heating and cooling business, so he started taking classes through the mail. He earned his certificate so off to Olathe he went to work with my Uncle John.
He had always been very active in the Moose Lodge for many years. He attended most of the social gatherings. He also was a member of the VFW and The Eagles Lodge. My dad loved to socialize!
After a few years in Olathe he decided to move back to Missouri. Sherry came into our lives around 1977 so her and my dad both went to work at Lake City where they retired in 2000.
He always had a love for the lake so they had bought a place and started commuting back and forth on weekends and two weeks in the summer. Then in 2000 they moved to the lake permanently.
He loved being out on his boat with his family and friends listening to some music and having a few beers.
When his kids or grandkids would come down he would take them around the lake tubing or just riding. He would even give lessons on driving the boat.
He often would take Sherry and the girls on trips to different destinations and I’m sure he enjoyed that.
He was always there to help anyone in need with whatever he could do.
As a kid, I did not appreciate the dad I had. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I understood just what a special person he was and how grateful I was to call him dad.
Our husband and dad fought a long hard battle and on August 3, 2014 it came to an end and he was finally at peace. I know he can breathe without gasping for air. We loved him very much and I know my dad will truly be missed not by just his family but from all his friends too. Not a day will go by that we don’t think of him and give a little smile, cause we know he is looking down on us.
Dad, rest in peace with all our love. Your family
He leaves a wife Sherry Henke; a daughter, Shelley (Bonnie) Henke: a son Frederick Joseph, Jr. He also leaves four grandchildren, Jeremy, Destiny, Leah and Joey Henke and one great-granddaughter, Payslee Henke.
He was preceded in death by both his parents, his brother John Henke, his son, Jerry Henke and his grandson Jason Webb.
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