Henry "Ott" Hemken, 96, of Walshville, died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at 5:45 p.m. at Heritage Health in Litchfield.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Sorento.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 8, at 11 a.m. at Walshville Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Bates officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Kirkland Cemetery.
Mr. Hemken was born June 1, 1922, in Walshville, the son of Henry and Ada (Vogel) Hemken. He married Betty Jackson Fenton. He then married Elsie (Melchert )Hemken, and they both preceded him in death.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II, as First Scout in General Patton's Third Army.
Following his service, he worked as a laborer for Local 1084 in Hillsboro, of which he was a member for over 55 years.
A great outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, trapping, and vegetable gardening. He was a great storyteller and world-class coffee drinker. He was a member of the Walshville Baptist Church and was a past member of the Fox Hunters Association.
He is survived by his children, Bob (Lilly) Hemken of Walshville, Deanna Bruntjen of Litchfield, Karen (Dan) Pence of Walshville, Terry (Cathy) Hemken of Litchfield and Judy (companion Chad Cunningham) Allen of Sorento; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wives, he was preceded in death by brothers, Marion, Burl "Mike" and Russ Hemken; and sisters, Emma Ledbetter and Ruby Hughes.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
Online condolences may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
