Mayor Henkel died on Tuesday August 19, 2008 after a yearlong battle with
cancer. Councilmember at Large William Freytag has been sworn in
as Mayor.
Below is the complete obituary:
Mayor James E. Henkel, age 63, resident of Sharon St., Shelby died Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at his home following a courageous battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
Born June 3, 1945 in Hamilton, OH to Harvey G. and Viola E. (Muskopf) Henkel, Jim moved to Shelby in 1956 when his father transferred to the Ontario GM plant. A 1963 graduate of Shelby High School, he worked for AMF saving money for college, ultimately attending Ashland College, where he majored in economics and minored in psychology. Before graduating, he accepted a position with the Shelby Building and Loan, which brought him home and got him involved with what would be a lifetime dedication to community service.
Jim was first elected mayor of Shelby in the 1991 election and served two
terms from 1992 through 1995. Following his first terms as mayor,
Jim worked at the Shelby Middle School and Shelby High School where he loved
working with the kids. His interest in politics lured him to run for
Ward 1 Councilman, a seat he occupied from 2002 through 2005 and to run
again for mayor in 2005, an election that granted him the seat he currently
occupied until his health wouldn't allow him to continue.
Through it all, Jim kept his finger on the pulse of the city he loved.
Jim sat on numerous boards in the Shelby community and volunteered countless hours with Shelby Little League, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Shelby YMCA, Shelby United Fund, and many, many other organizations. He was a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, Shelby Rotary, Shelby Alumni Association, and the K of C. A staunch advocate of the Shelby Senior Center, he served as board president and was proud to be present at the unveiling of their new facilities in October of 2007. Jim was presented an award from the Shelby Alumni Association and was recently inducted into the Shelby High School Hall of Distinction.
Survivors include his wife Susie (Bashore) Henkel, whom he wed November
26, 1966; his children and their spouses, Aaron and Tracey Henkel of Shelby;
Amy and Ron Roberts of Shelby; Andy and Melissa Henkel of Appleton, WI;
eight grandchildren, Colton, Caylie, and Carlie Henkel, Hanna and Emma Roberts,
Austin, Garrett and George Henkel; one sister and brother-in-law, Patricia
and Mike Leveillard of Brooks, GA; one brother and sister-in-law, Carl and
Judy Henkel of Shelby; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many wonderful
friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his
grandparents, Karl and Elsie Muskopf.
Funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Saturday, August 23, from Most
Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Shelby. Father Fredrick J. Schill
and Father Nicholas Cunningham will officiate with interment in Most Pure
Heart of Mary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Barkdull Funeral Home
in Shelby Friday from 11:00 to 2:00 and 3:30 to 9:00 PM. In lieu of
flowers memorial expressions may be made to the Shade Tree Commission, St.
Mary's Children's Library, Shelby Senior Center, Hospice of North Central
Ohio and the Shelby Alumni Association.
On line condolences may be left at www.barkdullfuneralhome.com.