Erna M. Henkelman

Erna M. Henkelman, 76, of St. Joseph, went to meet her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 28, 2007 at her home after a long battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. Robert Confer & Rev. Paul Koehneke officiating. Friends may call from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Henkelman, an original “Sand Rabbit”, was born and raised on Lions Park Drive on February 7, 1931 to William & Alvina (Kalbach) Wesner. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1949, and attended Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. While attending Anderson College, she traveled with the college trio as accompanist, touring the Midwest, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. On February 13, 1955, she married Norbert Henkelman in St. Joseph. Erna was a self-employed Piano & Organ teacher for 30 plus years. She also worked several years at Michigan Fruit Canners. There was never a time when she was not involved with music and the church throughout her life. Erna was a member of the First Church of God and served as the Church Organist for 50 years. She also served Peace Lutheran Church for several years as their organist. Erna was a member of Monday Musical and served on the board of directors, and Michigan Federated Music Clubs for 35 years. Her love of music and her family was surpassed only by her deep love and devotion to her Lord Jesus Christ. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Mrs. Henkelman is survived by her husband Norbert; two sons-Douglas (Beth Ann) Henkelman of Monroe City, IN, Dale (Maureen) Henkelman of Sacramento, CA; two grandchildren-Paul & Megan Henkelman; three brothers, Ervin (Helen) Wesner, Harold Wesner, both of St. Joseph, Bill (Edna) Wesner of Lexington, KY; one sister Hilda (Albert) Ratcliff of Hoffman Estates, IL; and many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her grandmother Amelia Kalbach.