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Obituary for Walter "Doc" Ray Henkle
Walter (Doc) R. Henkle, 78, of Earlham passed away at his home with his family by his side on June 3, 2016. Visitation will be held from 6-8 P.M. on Monday, June 6th at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Earlham. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, June 7th at the Earlham Church of Christ. Burial will be at the Earlham Cemetery. The family would ask that people dress casual; jeans and racing shirts are acceptable. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Walter Henkle Memorial Fund and sent in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Stuart, IA 50250. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Walter Ray Henkle was born the middle son on April 9, 1938 in Madison County, Iowa to John and Delma (Neff) Henkle. He graduated from Earlham High School in 1957.
On March 12, 1961 he was united in marriage to Pearl (Lager) Henkle at the Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter, Iowa. They parented one child, Daniel, with love, patience, kindness, and wisdom.
Walter picked up the nickname of “Doc” at an early age and most of the local people in town called him “Doc”, some not knowing what his real name was.
In 1961 he was drafted by the Army and was stationed at Fort Story, Virginia. He was discharged in 1964.
Walter worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years for various construction companies in Iowa and Oklahoma, and was a member of the IUOE Local 234. In 1981 he moved to Elk City, OK and worked as a heavy equipment operator in the oil fields. He later moved to Oklahoma City, OK where he began working for the Department of Defense at Tinker Air Force Base. He retired from the Department of Defense with 18 years of federal service. In 2005 he moved back to Earlham to be close to family.
He enjoyed traveling, cruises, with his most memorable cruises being Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. He enjoyed camping at the Knoxville Raceway and going to the sprint car races. He also spent winters in Texas. He enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels, and going to casinos. He also enjoyed his “poker” nights with the guys.
He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Delma Henkle.
Left to cherish his memories is his loving wife of 55 years, Pearl, of Earlham; son, Daniel of Earlham; two brothers: Wilbur (Margaret) Henkle of Hamburg, IA; and Larry Henkle of Earlham. He is also survived by two nephews: Ron (Denise) Henkle of Omaha, NE; Matt Henkle of Earlham; and two nieces: Cindy (Rick) Mount of Farragut, IA; Angie (Scooter) Jorgensen of Earlham. (Professional services entrusted to Johnson Family Funeral Home – Earlham Chapel.)
