Mr. Herbert J. “Herb” Hentschel, 68, of Morris, Ill., passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, Nov. 6, 2012, at his home.
Born Nov. 11, 1943, in Chicago, Herbert was a son of the late Max William and Katharina Simon-Hentschel. He was raised and educated in Aurora and graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and Marmion Military Academy.
Herb attended the University of Ohio in Dayton and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Lewis University, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi Sigma Fraternity. Herb enlisted with the United States Navy in 1964, and proudly served his country, primarily on the USS Enterprise, prior to his honorable discharge in 1970.
On Nov. 27,1971, Herb married Mary Susan Simpson in Columbus, Ohio, and together they made their home in Morris. Herb retired from Exelon Nuclear Generating Plant at the age of 52 and continued to work as a volunteer for various causes and organizations after retirement.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, the American Legion Post #294, Knights of Columbus, Morris Rotary, the Morris Cruise Night Committee, Enterprise Association, and held a position for several years with the Morris Public Building Committee. Herb will be remembered for his numerous volunteer endeavors, and in his free time enjoyed fishing in Canada, deer bow-hunting and woodworking. He was a Chicago White Sox and Bears fan and enjoyed traveling.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years: Susan; two sons, Joseph Hentschel of Morris and David Hentschel of Coal City, Ill.; one daughter, Kathryn (Michael) Englert of Morris; one brother, William M. Hentschel of Wheaton, Ill.; one sister, Maria Hentschel-Hensley of Aurora, Ill.; one brother-in-law, Townsend (Holly) Simpson of St. Louis; 11 nieces and nephews, Mary (David) Anderson, Eric Hensley, Steven Hensley, Danny Hensley, Mark Hensley (fiancé Melissa Marchak), Patrick Hensley, Joanna Hensley (Scott Palmer), Elizabeth (Michael) Dunn, Jennifer (Jeremy) Sinclair, Rachel Simpson and Ben Simpson; and eight great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as a host of friends.
Herbert was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9 at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block east of Illinois 47) in Morris. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson St., Morris, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with the Rev. Ed Howe, CR officiating.
Inurnment with full military honors will be held at a later date at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Herb’s memory to the Immaculate Conception School Endowment Fund, Operation: MOMS Cookies (www.momscookies.org), or to the Enterprise Scholarship Fund.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.ReevesFuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. For additional information, call the funeral home at (815) 942-2500.
