Mary F. Hennrich

                Mary Francis Hennrich was born on October 11, 1964 in Red Bud, IL. She was the second child to James “Jim” Hennrich and Margie Hennrich (née Pierce), who both preceded her in death. She grew up in Sparta and Blair, IL with her four siblings James “Jimmy” Hennrich, Richard Hennrich, Rhonda Hennrich, and Kimberly “Kim” Hennrich (all surviving). Her childhood was filled with time outdoors, playing with animals, swinging with her siblings, and throwing her sisters’ birthday parties.

She graduated early from Sparta High School, then graduated from Hickey Business School, and followed a love of young children to study Early Childhood Education at Belleville Area College, now Southwestern Illinois College. That education was used to give the best start she could to her 3 children; James Bockhorn, Katrina Theiss (née Bockhorn), and Darren Bockhorn (all surviving). She enjoyed reading to them and to her grandchildren; Gerhardt Theiss, Hayden Theiss, Heinrich Theiss, Lana Bockhorn, Lauren Bockhorn, and Madelynn Bockhorn (all surviving), which helped instill in them a love of learning. As they grew, Mary expressed her love for her children by providing for all of their needs any way she could, usually working as a server or in manufacturing.

In addition, she managed to keep an immaculate and thoughtfully decorated home. Mary also loved to make bread rolls from scratch, and they were a hit at every family gathering. Her natural creativity and resourcefulness were evident through her ability to “make something from nothing,” while balancing work and homemaking. She kept it all organized with countless “To Do” lists, in her beautiful handwriting. Mary always made time for adventure, though. She found so much joy in life. She often packed a lunch (complete with her Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Thunder) and took her children, nieces, nephews, and sisters to the zoo, Grant’s Farm, water parks, and local creeks and rivers where her frequent and infectious laughter would fill the air.

She also enjoyed dancing, whether in the kitchen of her childhood home with family or while out listening to a local cover band. Even after a long and exhausting battle with Huntington’s Disease, Mary’s love of people and life were palpable. Everyone that met her couldn’t help but love her back, including the staff at Aperion Care Summerfield, who helped to make her final days as comfortable as possible and full of joy. Mary fought hard until the end, but she passed on August 30, 2026 at the age of 61 in Cloverdale, IN, knowing that she had checked off everything on her last “To Do” list. She was surrounded by family and caregivers turned friends whom she loved, and who will continue to love her. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Condolences can be made at: whitakerfunerals.net.

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