Philip James Henke

Philip James Henke of Westfield, Indiana, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, at the age of 74, due to complications from Multiple Systems Atrophy. He was born on September 12, 1952, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Christian Henke and Evelyn (Kidd) Henke.

Phil grew up in Stewartville, Minnesota. After graduating from Stewartville High School, Phil earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1983 from Northern Oklahoma University and a Master of Arts degree in Computer Resources Management in 1988 from Webster University.

In 1971, Phil began a 21-year career in the United States Air Force, advancing from the rank of Airman Basic to Staff Sergeant. In 1984, he was selected for Air Force Officer Training School, after which he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant and eventually advanced to the rank of Captain. His military career included service in accounting and finance, budget, cost analysis, and computer resources positions at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas; Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona; Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan; Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado; Rhein-Mein Air Base, Frankfurt, Germany; and Newark Air Force Base (Aerospace Guidance Metrology), Newark, Ohio. He retired from active military duty in 1991.

Also in 1991, Phil began a 22-year career in the United States Civil Service with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. During this time, he served in computer-resource positions in Columbus, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; and Indianapolis, Indiana. He retired from Civil Service in 2015.

In 1971, Phil met the love of his life, Linda Witte, while she was serving as a Parish Worker in his home congregation, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stewartville, Minnesota. They were married in that congregation on August 5, 1972. During their 54-year marriage, the couple lived in numerous locations in the United States, Asia, and Europe. At each place, the couple sought out faith communities that fostered warm friendships and blessed them with opportunities to engage and serve.

Phil’s fun and amiable personality made him welcome wherever he went. In retirement, he volunteered at the Sharing Place, a food-distribution ministry of Lutheran Child and Family Services. Throughout the years, he used his passion for photography to document the couple’s life and adventures, as well as using those skills in support of ministries in the wider church.

Phil is survived by his spouse, Linda Witte Henke; his brother Paul (Barb) Henke, of Rochester, Minnesota; and other extended family; by his godchildren Angela (Moller) Naginy and Michele (Moller) McDonald, both of Thousand Oaks, California, and Christopher Moller, Jr., of Phoenix, Arizona; numerous nieces and nephews; and by a wide circle of friends and family-of-choice.

Phil was predeceased by his parents, Christian and Evelyn Henke; his brother, Mark Henke; and many friends who graced his life. He was also preceded in death by his beloved dogs: Sparky, Rebecca, Daisy, PJ, Hansel, Gretel, Zephyr, and Zoe.

Phil’s spouse expresses gratitude to the staff and members of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church who provided gracious support and faithful assurance of God’s expansive love; to the staff at Restoracy of Carmel who cared for Phil during his declining health; to the staff of Paradigm Hospice who provided care during his final days; and to the many friends and family-of-choice who traveled from far and near to visit him during his illness.

A memorial service will be scheduled in late October at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, located at 1402 West Main Street in Carmel, Indiana, where Phil’s cremains will be interred in the congregation’s columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.