By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
32 Comments
  • Visitation

    Friday, February 19, 2021

    4:00 to 8:00 pm

    Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Pierron, IL

    and Saturday, February 20, 2021

    8:00 to 10:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Mass of Christian Burial:

    Saturday, February 20, 2021

    10:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Henry T. Korte, nickname “Hank”, 79, of Pierron, IL, died Friday, February 12, 2021, at his home with his family by his side.

    Henry was born January 18, 1942 to Henry and Joetta (Nee Kruep) Korte, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.  On February 1, 1964 he married Gerry Pacatte at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Pierron, IL.

    After his father died when Henry was 15 years old, he took his father’s job at Basler Electric to help his mother provide for his siblings.  He worked there for 3 years then enlisted in the Army and served 2 years in Germany.  He returned home and continued working at Basler Electric for a few more years.  He then went to work at Korte Richter Meats in Highland followed by Neubauer Meat Market as a meat cutter and caterer, where he worked for 28 years until the store closed.

    Henry could fix anything, from ceiling fans, to curling irons and appliances.  He was experienced in plumbing, electrical and mechanic repairs.  After Neubauer’s closed, he officially started Henry’s Repair Service and finished his career doing repair and maintenance work.  For nearly 50 years, he was the “maintenance” man at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pierron, where he was a member.

    He was a member and past President of Holy Name Society at Immaculate Conception Church, member of PIC Park and Village of Pierron Board Member.

    He loved his family, farming, gardening, fishing, trips with friends and John Deere Tractors. He would have his family and friends over for fish frys and he loved to grill.  He worked for area farmers as much as he could.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Joetta Korte; brother, John Korte; sister, Kay Baudino; nephew, Russell Korte; father and mother-in-law, Bernell and Lorraine Pacatte; brothers-in-law, Bob Baudino, Mike Diesen, and Dave Brauns.

    Henry is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Gerry Korte, Pierron, IL; children, Brian H. Korte, Highland, IL, Brenda (Steve) Korte, Pocahontas, IL, Sharla (Erik) Hemann, Breese, IL; grandchildren, Heather (Brian) Drazen, Haylee (Sam) Munie, Tyler (Kaitlin) Korte, Garrett Korte, Cali Detmer, Adam Korte, Colby Detmer; great-grandchildren, Maclin Drazen, Maveric Drazen, Emery Munie; brothers and sisters, Charlie (Jeannie) Korte, Pocahontas, IL, Denny (Mary) Korte, Pocahontas, IL, Delores Diesen, Highland, IL, Kenny (Claire) Korte, San Antonio, TX, Jane (Gene) Plocher, Highland, IL, Joyce (Julian) Thomas, Chippewa Falls, WI, Ray (Lori) Korte, Paris, IL; sisters-in-law, Judy Brauns, Highland, IL and Carol Korte, Edwardsville, IL; many nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made to Papaya Youth Group, Masses at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Pierron, IL or Korte Family’s discretion (for area Christian non-profit organizations)

    Visitation: Friday, February 19, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Pierron, IL, and Saturday, February 20, 2021, from 8:00 to 10:00 am, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, February 20, 2021, 10:00 am, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Fr. Scott Snider, Pastor, Mother of Dolors Church; Fr. Pat Jakel, Pastor, St. Paul Church; Fr. Paul Bonk, Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church.

    Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Pierron, IL

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

32 Condolences
 
  1. Jerry Frey / February 15, 2021 at 11:25 am

    Gerry, so very sorry to hear of Henrys’ death. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Jerry and Dolores Frey

  2. Jessica Fisher / February 15, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    Papa Henry, we love and miss you dearly! May you rest in peace and keep us safe 🖤

  3. Frieda And John Willmann / February 15, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Gerry, sorry for your loss. Sending prayers 🙏🏻 to you and your family …… John and Frieda Willmann

  4. Mary Kay Korte / February 15, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    My thoughts and prayers go out for you Gerry, and your family. May His soul Rest In Peace. Mary Kay Korte

  5. Bradley Huelsmann / February 15, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    My condolences to Gerry, Brian, Brenda, Sharla and the rest of the Korte family. Henry was always willing to help anyone do anything. He always made some of the best fish and was always enjoyable to be around. If Henry saw someone was not having a good day, he always found a way to put a smile on their face. I know he is up reuniting with all his loved ones & my father. They were always a fun pair of guys to be around.
    Brad Huelsmann

  6. Karen Gurley / February 15, 2021 at 4:44 pm

    Gerri, I’m so sorry for your loss. Henry was a great man who loved to have fun. You and Henry were a great example of what love is all about.
    God bless you and your family

  7. Nancy Toennies / February 15, 2021 at 7:43 pm

    Gerry,
    Prayers to you and your family. So sorry for your loss. With sympathy!
    Butch and Nancy Toennies

  8. Rose Strieker / February 15, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    Gerry. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rose and Allen Strieker.

  9. Ruth and Rick Zurliene / February 15, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    Dear Gerry Steve and Brenda Sharla and Eric and Brian. We are so sorry for your loss and send our deepest sympathy. Henry was such a great guy and we have great memories with the Meyer family. May God help you through this difficult time and we are so sorry we will not be able to attend the funeral.
    God bless Ruth and Rick Zurliene

  10. Thelma and Jim Litteken / February 15, 2021 at 11:01 pm

    Gerry, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, Henry. May God give you and your family comfort in this time of loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers,
    Thelma and Jim Litteken

  11. Rodney Bruner / February 16, 2021 at 6:34 am

    Gerry, I am so sorry to hear about Henry. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! You have my sincere condolences!!!

  12. Paula Williams / February 16, 2021 at 9:16 am

    Gerry,
    Dad (Andy Winkeler) and I are very sorry for your loss. Henry was always fun to talk to. I very much enjoyed our conversations when he drove past my house. I’ll miss those days. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Paula and Andy

  13. Dennis & Lyn Buchmiller / February 16, 2021 at 9:27 am

    Gerry…hard to believe Henry has left this earth. I grew up with him near Pierron. Enjoyed playing baseball with him. He was one of a kind. How he became an adult overnight at 15 still amazes me. Just remember…you were lucky to share life with him.

  14. Annette Raetz / February 16, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    Gerry, Brenda and Steve and all the family
    I’m so sorry to hear about Henry’s passing. Please know I love you all and I’m holding space for your grief and all the emotions that it entails. Henry was a good man and will be missed! I always enjoyed my time with him!

  15. Mary beth Broughton / February 16, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Very sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. Thoughts prayers and love hugs goes out to the family. With my deepest sympathy. Cherish your memories. He will always be your guardian angel

  16. Wes Holzinger / February 16, 2021 at 3:51 pm

    Very saddened to hear of Henry’s passing. Prayers to the whole family. Henry was one of the best guys I have ever worked with my entire life. He made life working at Neubauers well, quite interesting to say the least. He christened me with the nickname “Mugsy” which he would greet me with whenever we would see each other. The world has lost a great man. Take care.

  17. Denny and Janis Foehner / February 16, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    Gerry, Our most sincere condolences. Henry was quite a guy. I always enjoyed talking with him. God bless.
    Denny and Janis Foehner

  18. Carol Molnar / February 16, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    So very sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. You are a loving family and will be a great source of strength for oneanother. God gives us strength at times like these in our lives upon earth. Now he will be in heaven to see you through this sad time and to look after you all in the future. As time progresses you will often feel the presence of him at your side. Cherish the memories you are so blessed to have of him. Know he is at peace with the Lord. God bless you all and please know I am so sorry for your loss.

  19. Teri / February 17, 2021 at 10:56 am

    Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.
    Teri & Frank Musso

  20. Dale and Karen Rakers / February 17, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    So very very sorry Gerry. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. He was such a very nice man. You take care of yourself. Dale and Karen Rakers

  21. Pat and Mike Maroon / February 17, 2021 at 6:36 pm

    Gerry so sorry for your loss. May God wrap his arms around you and give you peace

  22. Bob Hellige / February 17, 2021 at 7:53 pm

    Gerry and family so sorry for your loss. Hank was a great person and I enjoyed knowing him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob Hellige

  23. Sandra K. Kohlbrecher / February 18, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    Gerry, I am so deeply sorry for you and your family’s loss in Henry’s passing. You are all in my prayers. He was always so nice in speaking to me at reunions and when Bill and I lived on Coventry in Highland, I remember he would stop by a few times and talk to him. My Deepest Sympathy. Sandra K. Kohlbrecher

  24. Kaye Plocher / February 19, 2021 at 5:49 am

    Gerry and your entire family,
    So sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. I know your lives will be changed by this loss, but you are strong and will find a way to keep going. Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
    Kaye Plocher

  25. Mark, Matt, Mike Blakey / February 19, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    We were so sorry to hear about Henry’s passing. He was a great man and leaves a great legacy with a wonderful family. Sympathy and prayers from our family to yours.

    The Blakey’s

  26. Gerry, Brian, Brenda, Sharla and families, / February 19, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    Please accept our condolences. Losing a loved one is so hard. Henry was a great guy. We are sending hugs and prayers. Love, Mike and Marge

  27. Kay Schomaker / February 19, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    Gerry so sorry to hear of your husbands passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers

  28. Gloria Brown / February 20, 2021 at 9:43 am

    Gerri and family
    Sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. Memories are forever so keep them close. Praying for you today and the future days ahead for you and your family.

    xo Gloria Brown

  29. Larry and Nancy Baudino / February 20, 2021 at 11:54 am

    Gerry and family,,
    Our deepest sympathies on the passing of Henry. We have fond memories from times spent at Kay and Bob’s house, Joetta’s home and other family gatherings. Prayers of comfort and strength for you all.
    Larry and Nancy Baudino

  30. Mark and Dianne Voss / February 20, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss and send our deepest sympathy. Henry was such a great guy .May God help you through this difficult time and we are so sorry we will not be able to attend the funeral.
    God bless Mark and Dianne Voss

  31. Bryan Korte / February 20, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    Dear Gerry and family.
    I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Henry. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time. I always enjoyed the many years I worked with Henry. He always made the time go by faster at work and he had a great sense of humor. I look back on those times very fondly. It is hard to believe that was over 20 years ago now. The years seem to go faster and faster. He was a very kind and caring man who I know will be missed by many.
    Bryan Korte

  32. Scott Pisaneschi / February 21, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Brian and family so sorry for your loss. He was a good man. I was grateful to have known him.

    Scott Pisaneschi

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