Evarist Henke
Evarist R. “Slim” Henke, of the Town of Erin, son of the late Emil and Margaret (Linden) Henke, born September 10, 1934, passed away September 3, 2025. He married Nancy A. Collins September 10, 1960 at St. Patrick’s Church in Thompson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy. He is survived by daughter Mary Lee (Larry) Hasslinger, son Michael (Christine) Henke and 1 grandson Ryan Henke. He is also survived by step granddaughters Danielle (John) Wiedmeyer and Jolene (Korey) Kane and their families. He is further survived by brother James (Mary) Bonde and sister Pat (Vic) Rens; sisters-in-law, Kathi Bonde, Lilybeth Dais, Janet Jones, Judy (Frank) Guntly, Diann (Earl Kopp) Collins, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Merlin, Roy, Ronald, Melvin, Robert, Fred and sisters Mabel, Betty and Shirley.
Evarist was in the Army for 2 years spending 20 months stationed in Germany with the 4th battalion during the Berlin Crisis. He was employed at Dern Paint company, Libby McNeil, Woodland Foundry and spent 30 years at Broan Manufacturing. After retiring there he worked at Drillmaster until deciding to really enjoy retirement.
In his new spare time he began building historic buildings and farm machinery models by hand (to go along with Nancy’s interest in local history). The pinnacle of his model making came when his model of the Jack Daniels office TN was featured on the Jack Daniels Squire calendar in 2011 that was distributed worldwide. This model he donated to the Squire house at the Tennessee Squire Association headquarters in Lynchburg, TN and they still have it displayed in the Jack Daniels Squire house.
His pet chickens were his companions, especially Brutus, Buddy, Missy and Bandit always held a special place in his world.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the family which will be used at a later date for a memorial honoring Evarist and Nancy’s interest in history.
The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.