Thomas Leo Henkels

Thomas Leo Henkels cashed in his final chips on Sunday, July 17, 2011, at the age of 76. He died peacefully in Tucson, AZ, after a courageous and often times humorous battle with emphysema and lung cancer. He wanted to announce his terminal disease in an early obituary ending with "date pending". Per his wishes, the body was cremated. A Mass will be held at 4:00 p.m. at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Coal Valley, IL. The celebration, as Tom would want us to say, will continue at 5:00 p.m. at The Rock in Coal Valley. Tom was born March 3, 1935, to Ludwina and Rudy Henkels in Luxemburg, IA. He was a member of St. Mary Gorreti Church in Coal Valley, the Quad City Convention Bureau, the Better Business Bureau, and was a former member of the Chamber of Commerce. He was the consummate salesman, enjoying many successful years selling with great enthusiasm. He never met a stranger. His wit was quicker than most people's train of thought. Tom lived life larger and faster than most people. Everyone who knew him has to smile when thinking about him, and each one will have a different story about the time he made them laugh, and about some of his best "quips" or "one-liners" he came up with. He will be deeply missed by his many friends in both Arizona and Illinois. His family is grateful for so much quality time with him before his passing. We would all love to hear his interview with Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates. He is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and the mother of his children, Marjorie Cummings Bowerman. The children: Debbie (Don) Flanigan of Mandeville, LA, Randy (Susan) Henkels of Normal, IL, Sue Henkels Wendt of Moline, IL, Pam (Scott) Snell) of Arlington, VA, and Bobbie (Brian) Kessinger) of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren: Patrick and Andie Flanigan of Mandeville, LA, Alex and Kevin Henkels of Normal, IL, Lisa Wendt of Moline, IL, Katie Wendt of New Orleans, LA, Emily and Julia Snell of Arlington, VA, and Lindsey Henkel of Cape Coral, FL; great-grandchildren: Dakota Wendt of Moline, IL, and Brodie Wendt of New Orleans, LA. Also surviving are sisters: Geny Duehr of Dubuque, IA, Theresa Engleken of Dyersville, IA, Marita Oberbroeckling of Dyersville, IA, and Carrie Swingler of Michigan; and brothers: Norman Henkels of San Diego, CA, Peter Henkels of Dubuque, IA, and Tony Henkels of Cape Coral, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant daughter, Theresa Marie. In lieu of flowers, please raise your glass or join us at The Rock, to celebrate the life of Tom Henkels.

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