Henry Strunk Obituary

Henry D. Strunk

Born: Aug. 19, 1933

Died: Dec. 24, 2015

Henry D. Strunk, of Western Springs died on December 24, following a courageous eight-year battle to beat cancer. He was 82 at the time of his passing.

Hank was born in Pontiac, IL on August 19, 1933, to Walter and Anne Strunk.

His sister, Barbara (Strunk) Shearer, preceded him in death.

He moved to Flanagan, IL in high school, where he met Donna Meils, who became his wife of 60 years. After two years of military service, he graduated with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1957 with a degree in Marketing from the College of Commerce. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association from 1982 to 1988.

His career began at IBM in 1957. After working at Telex Corporation, he served in executive leadership roles at LaSalle National Bank in Chicago for 15 years and as Chairman of First National Bank of Highland Park. He completed his career as Deputy Director with the University of Illinois Foundation.

Hank never lost sight of his small town roots. He loved the earth, making regular trips to Flanagan to walk the fields and monitor his corn and beans. Fishing was also a passion, with more than 60 trips to Canada with old friends, new friends and, later, with his grandson. Hank also served the Western Springs community for many years. He was Park Board President and Commissioner from 1973 to 1979 and a 55-year member of the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, where he served as an elder and on many committees.

He is survived by his beloved wife Donna (Meils); three daughters, Susan (Terry), Jane (John) and Sarah; and two grandchildren, Jud and Elizabeth. We will miss his character, fortitude and guidance, as well as the integrity that Hank epitomized in his thoughts, words and actions.

A visitation will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs on Friday, January 8, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs or to the charity of the donor's choosing.