Leo Henkelman,

Leo Alphonse Henkelman, was born December 24, 1934, the son of George and Cunnegunda Schechinger Henkelman. He passed away on Monday, May 9, 2011, at his home in Laverne, Oklahoma.
He was born in Defiance, Iowa. He worked for his father on the farm before entering the U.S. Army on February 9, 1954, serving as a Parts Specialist. He received the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals. He was honorably discharged from the Army on January 27, 1956.
He was united in marriage to Bettie Carroll on April 3, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, Iowa. The couple was blessed with the birth of nine children. They farmed near Vail, Iowa, for four years. He then went to work for IBP until 1989, moving the family to western Iowa; Homer, Nebraska; Erie, Illinois; and Garden City, Kansas. From 1991-2000 he worked for Rock River Lumber Feed & Grain, retiring in Laverne, Oklahoma.
Leo loved his children and grandchildren very much. He enjoyed watching old movies, old TV shows, telling stories, fishing, collecting guns, and drinking beer. He was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Woodward, Oklahoma, and was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, Assembly #2974, fostering the spirit of patriotism
and encouraging active Catholic citizenship.
He served with the American Legion Honor Guard for fallen veterans.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bettie in 1989; one son in infancy; one great-grandson; one brother, George; and five sisters: Catherine; Marie; Thelma; Helen; and Jean. He is survived by four sons: Leo, Jr., and his wife, Debi; Michael and his wife, Laurie; George and his wife, Amy; and Kevin and his wife, Sylvia; four daughters: Della; Sue; Rose and her husband, Kurt; and Wendy and her husband Rich; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, John and his wife, Helen; two sisters: Alice and her husband, Vern; and Rita; other relatives and friends.