Henry "Ott" Hemken
June 1, 1922 ~ April 4, 2019
Henry “Ott” Hemken, 96, of Walshville, IL, passed away at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Heritage Health in Litchfield, IL.
Ott was born June 1, 1922 in Walshville, IL, the son of Henry and Ada (Vogel) Hemken. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II, as 1st Scout in General Patton’s 3rd Army. Following his service, he worked as a laborer for Local’s 1084 out of Hillsboro in which he was a member for over 55 years. Ott was a great outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, trapping, and vegetable gardening. He was a great storyteller, and world class coffee drinker. Ott was a member of the Walshville Baptist Church, and a past member of the Fox Hunters Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Betty Jackson Fenton; second wife, Elsie Melchert Hemken; brothers, Marion, Burl “Mike”, and Russ Hemken; and sisters, Emma Ledbetter and Ruby Hughes.
Ott is survived by his children, Bob (Lilly) Hemken of Walshville, IL, Deanna Bruntjen of Litchfield, IL, Karen (Dan) Pence of Walshville, IL, Terry (Cathy) Hemken of Litchfield, IL, and Judy (companion, Chad Cunningham) Allen of Sorento, IL; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: The family will receive guests from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2019 at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home, 201 S. Main St., Sorento, IL 62086.
Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2019 at the Walshville Baptist Church, with Pastor Mike Bates officiating.
Interment with military honors will follow the ceremony at Kirkland Cemetery in Sorento, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences to the family.
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I love you Grandpa. You will be forever in my heart. I will miss you so much!
A Spathiphyllum was ordered on April 5, 2019
A Feathery Palm Plant was sent on April 5, 2019
Deepest sympathy. From your neighbor, Tom and Glenda Pinski
Its hard to drive by otts home and not see him in the yard. I always looked for him. He was a friend, he will be missed!
An Azalea Plant was ordered on April 6, 2019
A Basket Garden was ordered on April 6, 2019
Ott was an inspiration to me as just a really nice man who cared about others. Good to know he was a Christian and especially a Baptist as I am. I worked with him on construction through the labor hall. My dad was Albert Thacker and my name is Jimmy. May his Christan witness be an example for his family to follow. My deepest sympathies.
FAMILY OF HENRY HEMKEN MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. I CONSIDERED HENRY AS A PATIENT AND FRIEND. I ALWAYS ENJOYED OUR VISITS & ALMOST ALWAYS THOUGHT I GOT BETTER ADVICE THAN I GAVE OUT . DENNIS ROSS BILLITER
Very horrible man. Ruined many kids lives. You all saw a saint, the rest of us saw a molestor. May you rot.