Roger J. Henkener

10/12/1922 – 4/30/2004

Roger J. Henkener, 81, of Columbus and formerly of New Knoxville, died Friday, April 30, 2004, at Riverside Hospital, Columbus, following an extended illness.

He was born Oct. 16, 1922, in New Knoxville, the son of Raymond and Lenora (Doenges) Henkener. On June 15, 1947, he married Marcile Amstutz, and she survives in Columbus.

Other survivors include three daughters, Ann Henkener of Columbus, Barbara (Joe) Malsom of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Mary (Paul) Henkener Esposito of Cincinnati; four grandchildren, Margaret Malsom, Patrick Malsom, Nora Esposito and Julia Esposito; a sister, Marge Wellman of New Knoxville; and a nephew, Randy Henkener of St. Marys.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Don Henkener.

Mr. Henkener was a lifelong member of the First United Church of Christ, New Knoxville, where he served in numerous positions. He was a 1940 graduate of New Knoxville High School and attended Ohio State University until called to service in the U.S. Army, after which he resumed his education until his graduating from OSU Law School in 1949.

He established a law practice in Wapakoneta. In 1970, Ron Miller joined the practice, and they practiced together until Mr. Henkener’s illness in 1987.

Mr. Henkener served as the village solicitor of Minster, New Bremen, New Knoxville, Jackson Center and Waynesfield. He served as president of the New Knoxville Telephone Company Board of Directors, helped establish the New Knoxville Historical Society and was a member of the Rotary Club of Wapakoneta, Lions Club of New Bremen, American Legion Post 444 and Hamer Lodge 167 F&AM. Other interests were sailing, farming, carpentry, family genealogy and traveling.