- Date Of Birth: October 27, 1946
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2022
- State: Indiana
John Thomas Henk, 75, died peacefully on August 1, 2022, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. John was born October 27, 1946 in Lafayette, IN to the late Robert C. and Ruth E. (Frasch) Henk. John was a proud graduate of Lafayette Jefferson and a member of the 1964 State Championship basketball team. He attended Northeast Missouri State for one year on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Purdue University, where he earned his BS and MS in Education. He taught for over 37 years in the Lafayette School Corporation and was a dedicated and enthusiastic basketball and football coach, touching the lives of many of the community’s youth. John was an avid Purdue fan, enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and especially loved watching his grandchildren compete in various sports. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, mushroom hunting, gardening, eating out and watching Colts games.
John was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, the NEA and Purdue Alumni Association. He was a founding member and President of the Lafayette Fire Department Merit Commission. He was also a Meals on Wheels volunteer and most recently a crossing guard for the Lafayette School Corporation.
John is survived by his wife Barbara of 32 years, daughter Lisa (Pat) of Zionsville, son Brett (Angie) of Carmel and daughter Allison (fiancé Adam) of Indianapolis; four grandchildren, Zach, Reese and Cooper Nehlsen and Addison Henk; one sister, Mary Loveless, nephew Matt Loveless and niece Melissa Anderson all of Bentonville AR; his first wife and mother of his children Suzanne Henk and four stepchildren, Amy, Stacy, Matt and Jeff Strawn. He is proceeded in death by his best friend and brother-in-law Michael “Bird” Loveless.
