George Andrew Henken, age 84, of O'Fallon, Ill., born in Germantown, Ill., to the late Gerhard and Bernardine, nee Timmermann, Henken died August 15, 2011.

George served in the European Theater of operations in World War II in the Regular Army and in the Korean Conflict in the Army Enlisted Reserves. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) when he worked for Western Electric Company installing telephone central offices. Later he worked at Scott AFB as a telephone mechanic foreman, from which he retired in 1985. He was an alderman for the City of O'Fallon for several years, serving on various civic committees. He was a member of St. Clare Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 4239 and American Legion Post 252. Photography, woodworking, wine-making, and sausage-making were his hobbies, and his favorite card game was four-handed euchre. George was generous with his time and many talents, volunteering selflessly in a variety of ways. He loved his family and was very proud of his six grandchildren.

The Henken family is most appreciative to the O'Fallon City EMS team and to the ER staff at Memorial Hospital, all of whom showed sincere compassion and kindness.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Clare Catholic Church or St. Clare Catholic School.

He was preceded in death by brothers Arthur, Joseph, and John (Helen) Henken, sisters Antonia Henken, Helen Henken (Sr. Bernardi, PHJC), Bernardine Henken (Sr. Benna, SSPS), Mary Henken, Frances (Walter) Peters, and Clara (Steve) Harvath.

Mr. Henken is survived by his wife, Eleanor C., nee Robben, Henken, whom he married June 28, 1952 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Germantown, Ill.; three sons Doyle (Mary) Henken of Houston, Mo., Gerard (Becky) Henken of Millstadt, Ill., Larry Henken of O'Fallon, Ill., daughter Theresa (Doug) Maue of Breese, Ill., and sister Cecilia Lucy Henken (Sr. Jude, PHJC) of Donaldson, Ind.; and sister-in-law Flora Henken of Breese, Ill.
Also surviving are his grandchildren, whom he dearly loved, James Anthony (Rachel) Henken of Gonzales, La., Amy Marie Henken of San Francisco, Jason Douglas (fiancée Ashley Young) Maue of Breese, Ill., Gregory Michael (special friend Courtney Crews) Maue of Breese, Ill., Madeleine Jane Henken of O'Fallon, Ill., and Elizabeth Anne Henken of O'Fallon, Ill.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2011 and one hour prior to mass at St. Clare Catholic Church, Shiloh. American Legion Post 252 will conduct a walk-through at 7:30 pm, Tuesday, at the church.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at St. Clare Catholic Church, Shiloh, Ill. with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Interment with military honors will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.