During Mr. Werner’s elementary school years his family lived on a farm ten miles north of Chicago near a small town known as Half Day. It was there his father worked as the foreman for that farm which was owned by the Chief of Police of Chicago. After completing elementary school the family moved back to Chicago. As a token of gratitude for his work as foreman, the Chief of Police gave Hank’s father a regulation 1913 Chicago Police Department issue pistol.
This pistol is the only item Mr. Werner owns as a remembrance of his parents. Thanks to retired Abilene Police Department Sgt. David Gage, the pistol was on loan for a period of time at the Abilene Police Museum.
As a young man Mr. Werner was an accomplished baseball catcher. While attending Lane Tech High School in Chicago, his team played for the city championship in Wrigley field. Apparently he impressed the Chicago Cubs as they hired him, while still in high school, to work as a warm-up catcher which allowed him to suit up for home games at Wrigley.
After graduation from high school in 1931 Mr. Werner became a professional baseball player in the Nebraska State League. Unfortunately, he suffered a career-ending injury and returned to Chicago where he learned and perfected the art of baking.
In 1941 Mr. Werner was called into service where he continued his baking skills. While stationed at Camp Barkley in Abilene, Texas he met and married Gladyce Suggs of Clyde Texas in 1943. Soon after, Hank was sent overseas where he served in Africa, the Mid-East, and Europe. While in Europe he also managed a U.S. Army European Baseball League team.
Having completed his WWII service Mr. Werner returned to Abilene in ’46 where he was welcomed by his son Frank who was born shortly after Hank was sent overseas.
Mr. Werner worked as a baker for Mead’s Bakery for the next 23 years and in the maintenance department of Aileen’s, Inc. for the next 9 years before his retirement. He was a member of the VFW, the Fairmont Methodist Church and is the sole Werner survivor.
“Hank” was known locally for his golfing skills. He shot his age many times at the Maxwell Golf Course where he was fondly known as "Hammering Hank".
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18