Gloria Maechtle Henkle

Gloria Maechtle Henkle, 54, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at her home in the presence of her loving family. Gloria was born on June 23, 1954 in Sheboygan, WI, the daughter of Ralph Maynard and Esther Viola Olive Heilgendorf Maechtle. Gloria was a 1976 graduate of Valparaiso University in Indiana, earning a Bachelors of Nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Milwaukee, WI, and Iowa City, IA. Gloria married Joseph Q. Henkle, June 25, 1982, in Milwaukee, WI, moving to Iowa City and later Phoenix, AZ, before settling in Springfield in 1986. Gloria was an active member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, leading the creation of the Community Fine Arts Camp and a church/school partnership with Blackhawk Elementary. She was active in many committees, faithful in worship, and sang in the choir. Gloria was a participating member in the Sangamon County Medical Society Alliance. Inspired by her own experience with cancer, Gloria had a lead role in establishing Women In Support of Each Other's Recovery (WISER), a breast cancer support group at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Cancer Center. Gloria was preceded in death by her father Ralph. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph Q. Henkle of Springfield; her son, Benjamin of Iowa City, IA; her daughters, Sarah of New Orleans, LA and Laura of Iowa City, IA; her mother, Esther Maechtle of Cedarburg, WI; her siblings, Paul (Barb) Maechtle of Palmetto, FL, Alan (Linda) Maechtle of Waukesha, WI, and Rita (Rich) Geilfuss of Wilmot, WI; her in-laws, Dr. Robert and Marge Henkle of Port Washington, WI, Dr. Kathy (Henkle) Mulligan (Bill) of Schererville, IN; Robert (Michelle) Henkle of Port Washington, WI, Bill (Mary) Henkle of Port Washington, WI, Patti (Tony) Depies of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Dan (Steve) Henkle of San Francisco, CA; in addition to many loving nieces and nephews. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Private family burial will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Family will receive friends for a memorial gathering from 2:00-4:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2313 S. Whittier Ave., Springfield. A memorial ceremony will follow at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Glen VanderKloot officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church for support of Fine Arts and community ministries, 2313 S. Whittier Ave., Springfield, IL 62704 or to the International Health and Development Network (IHDN) for assistance with future medical missions in Agbozume, Ghana, Africa, 3950 Mill Stone Dr., Springfield, IL 62707.