Wendell F Henby Obituary (1923 - 2014)

Wendell F. Henby, 90, of Decatur passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 in his residence. In keeping with Wendell's wishes cremation rites will be accorded. His final resting place will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha, Kansas at a later date. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials can be made to the Golden K Kiwanis Scholarship Fund. Wendell was born on August 31, 1923 in Ruskin, Nebraska the son of Floyd E. and Maude (Lockenour) Henby and grew up on the family farm in Hiawatha. He attended Kansas State University before going to Kansas City School of Watchmaking where he was an instructor. Wendell served in the U.S. Navy as a radar operator during World War II. He married Margaret Torkelson on January 1, 1947. Over the course of their marriage, they visited all 50 states together. Wendell was a gemologist and worked for 30 years at Flora Gems in Decatur. He was an elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, former Rotary Club member and also a member of Golden K Kiwanis. Wendell was known for his outstanding wood working skills. He fabricated many pieces of heirloom quality furniture which are cherished by family members. In use today at his church is a wood communion set he created from a walnut tree from his family farm. Along with his woodworking skills, Wendell was an avid fisherman, golfer, reader, active church member and a proud veteran; so much so that he had organized an Honor Flight of Decatur's veterans. Surviving is his wife of 67 years, Margaret; niece: Phyllis Grzywinski of Bartlett, IL; nephew: Larry Cannon of Omaha, NE; niece: Doris Hawkins of St. Joseph, MO; special family friends: Stephen (Susan) Rayhill of Mt. Zion, IL; special family friends: Sharon (Kevin) Peabody of Taylorville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Wilma Cannon. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.