Patricia A. Henkener

Patricia A. Henkener, 91, of Wapakoneta, passed away at 4:50 p.m. Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Otterbein - St. Marys.  She was born on September 30, 1930, in Lima, to Vernon E. & Leona B. Meier Kelly, who have preceded her in death.  In keeping with Irish tradition, she married George E. Henkener on Thanksgiving Day 1948.  They were blessed with over 68 years of marriage before he passed away on February 18, 2017.

Survivors include her two sons, Craig M. (Debra) Henkener and Kim A. (Melanie) Henkener, both of Wapakoneta; three grandsons, Michael C. Henkener, of Lima, James P. Cooper, of Lakeland, FL, and Brian A. (Kristi) Henkener, of Morrow, Ohio; three granddaughters, Kristina L. (Lance) Soliday, of Sidney, Angela M. Elshoff, of St. Marys, and Shannon M. (Charles) Babu, of Cambridge, MA; eight great-grandchildren, Taylor (Kerry) Roberts, Gage Henkener, Emmitt Henkener, Chase Soliday, Vincent Babu, Anthony Babu, Duke Henkener, Drake Henkener; three siblings, Timothy (Joann) Kelly, of Medina, Arlene Miller, of Wapakoneta, and Kevin (Dawn) Kelly, of Sidney; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, and helpful neighbors.

Patricia was also preceded in death by her two daughters, Janet Lynn Henkener and Angela Suzanne Cooper; brother, Thomas Kelly; and brother-in-law, Gene Miller.

A 1948 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Pat was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  In her younger years, she spent many summer seasons working alongside her mother at the family ice cream stand, the K&K Dairy Bar on Willipie Street.  A true creature of habit, this was the beginning of needing a nightly treat of ice cream. She also enjoyed working at the Sears Catalog Store for 11 years.  As her family grew, Pat began her true calling of being a housewife, but more importantly, a mother.  Her sewing projects outfitted not only her children, but also various places around the family home and camper, like the windows and cushions.  She also enjoyed reading and playing cards with family, where she always had an eye out for cheaters.  Many days were spent and memories made in the vegetable garden and tending to the fruit trees, the bountiful harvest canned carefully for delicious meals to come.  Pat and George loved to travel together, they were proud to have taken their camper to every state, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.  They also spent many years wintering in Ruskin, Florida.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 11, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta.  Father Sean Wilson will officiate and interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Wapakoneta.  Friends may call from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2022 at Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Wapakoneta.  Memorial contributions may be made to Petersburg Parishes Respect Life Committee.