Larry Joe Henkle, 81, passed away peacefully at his home on December 2, 2024 after a courageous battle with frontal temporal dementia. He was born December 6, 1942 in Elmore, Ohio to the late Joseph and Violet Henkle. Larry was raised on his family's dairy farm and lived there with his family while in school. Larry attended and graduated from Harris Elmore High School where he took part in the marching band playing drums. After high school Larry joined the Army. During his army career he served two tours in Vietnam where he earned the Bronze Star Medal before returning home to the States in 1969. Larry and his family lived in Rhode Island until 1973 when they relocated to Ohio. Larry had already built a career as an auto mechanic but chose to pursue an opportunity to make a career transition at this time into diesel mechanics.

In 1977, Larry moved his family to Monroe, North Carolina. During his time in North Carolina, he worked at Holly Farms / Tyson Foods where he would eventually become the shop foreman. Later, after retiring from Tyson Foods, he relocated to Sebastian, Florida. Larry stayed in Florida enjoying the sunshine during his retirement until his dementia would no longer allow him to stay. He returned to Monroe in 2021 to live with his son and daughter-in-law, Barry and LeeAnna Henkle. Barry's family, along with a team of caregivers saw to Larry's needs and comfort until his passing.

A Memorial Service will be held with military honors at 11:00am on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Holland Funeral Service, 806 Circle Drive, Monroe, NC 28112.

In addition to his parents, Larry is preceded in passing by his beloved wife, Alice Butler Henkle, and two sons, Gary James Henkle and Rex Alan Henkle.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Barry Joe Henkle (LeeAnna), sister, Kathleen Benson of Ohio, brother, William Willey of Ohio, granddaughter, Sydney H. Redmond (Ryan), two grandsons, Jacob Henkle, and Samuel Henkle (Cheyenne); four great-granddaughters, Camden Henkle, Ava Redmond, Alayna Redmond, and Emersyn Redmond; and two nieces and nephew in Ohio.

The family would like to thank their faithful caregivers, Jessica, Olga, Susan, and Robin. Additionally, the family would like to thank their Union County Hospice Team and especially Heather and Kaye for the special care they gave to Larry in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Union County at https://fundraise.atriumhealthfoundation.org/give or to the Alzheimer's Association at https://donate.brightfocus.org

Holland Funeral Service is serving the Henkle Family.