Donald Robert Henke, 67, died on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at his residence, in the loving presence of his wife and stepdaughter.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at Indigo Restaurant, located at 3013 Lindbergh Blvd. in Springfield. Cremation was provided by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.
Mr. Henke was born on May 4, 1955, in Quincy. He married Kathleen (Kathy) Folkerts on Aug. 12, 2003, in the Bahamas. Mr. Henke graduated from Quincy Catholic Boys High School (now Quincy Notre Dame) in 1973, then obtained a bachelor’s degree from Quincy College in 1977. He earned a master’s degree in social work from St. Louis University in 1982.
Mr. Henke’s professional career was spent providing care for the most vulnerable citizens as a private practice therapist, child welfare specialist and mental health specialist for the chronically mentally ill. He worked in several social service settings, helping the most disturbed, most seriously mentally ill and most needy clients at the Newman Clinic as a counselor; the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as an investigations supervisor; the IL Department of Mental Health/McFarland with the chronically mentally ill and forensic patients who were either guilty by reason of insanity or unfit to stand trial; and the Springfield Psychological Center as a counselor.
After receiving a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer in 2015, he continued to work diligently to help others, until he was physically unable to do so, and retired in January 2019. Mr. Henke continued to provide much needed therapeutic services to clients at the Springfield Psychological Center, while battling cancer and the many and ever changing covid restrictions. Some days he barely moved but rallied in time to go to work to help others. He ultimately retired in February 2022.
Mr. Henke loved life. He loved coaching his kid’s soccer teams, fishing, deer hunting, gardening, cooking, fine dining, wine/beer/bourbon tastings, golfing and traveling. He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren and wished he had more time to watch them grow and conquer the world. He hoped to be remembered with laughter, love and a good bourbon pour.
In addition to his loving and devoted wife, Mr. Henke is survived by his stepdaughter, Haley Benning; parents, Don and Mary Ann Henke of Quincy; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Maureen Folkerts of Nokomis; siblings, Dan (Kellie) Henke and Beth Mefford; children Lucas (Danielle), Adam (Megan) and Rachel (Jon); and grandchildren, Evie and John Henke.
Memorials may be made to the Mini-O’Beirne Crisis Nursery (MOCN), 1011 N. 7th St., Springfield, IL 62702, or Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd., Springfield, IL 62702.
Condolences may be left online at www.lincolnlandcs.com.
