By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
23 Comments
  • Visitation

    Tuesday, August 18, 2020

    10:00 am to 12:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

  • Service

    Tuesday, August 18, 2020

    12:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Neal E. Henschen, 57, of Highland, IL, died Saturday, August 15, 2020, at his residence.

    Neal was born Nov. 13, 1962, to LaVerne and Vera (Nee Olive) Henschen, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.

    He loved spending time with family. He enjoyed playing croquet, fishing and swimming. He was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan.

    He was preceded in death by his father, LaVerne Henschen.

    Neal is survived by his mother, Vera (significant other, Earl Gilomen) Henschen; siblings, Cathy (Carolyn Leach) Henschen, Springfield, IL, Mark (significant other, Susan Kessinger) Henschen, Highland, IL, Brenda (Gary) Heim, Highland, IL, Faye (Patrick Jakel) Henschen, Highland, IL; niece and nephews, Jason (Brandi Oliver) Zappia, Jared (Krissi) Zappia, Lauren Heim; great nieces and nephew, Alli and Bella Zappia, Ryder Zappia; special friends, Barb Short and Josh Short.

    Memorials may be made to Highland Area Christian Service Ministry.

    Visitation: Tuesday, August 18, 2020, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Memorial Service: Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 12:00 pm at Meridith Funeral Home.

    Clergy: Rev. Keith Anderson

    Burial: Salem UCC Cemetery, Alhambra, IL.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

23 Condolences
 
  1. Cindy Warden / August 16, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the Henschen family. May you find comfort during this time of your loss.

  2. Lisa Abert / August 16, 2020 at 10:59 pm

    Prayers of strength for the entire family. I’m very sorry for your loss.

  3. Mary Stumpf / August 17, 2020 at 10:33 am

    Vera, Brenda, Mark, Faye, and Cathy
    We are sorry to hear of Neal’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  4. Dianne Albl / August 17, 2020 at 11:48 am

    I am so very sorry for your loss.

    Neal was one of the good guys. When I started working at SIUE and didn’t have a clue what I was doing, Neal always helped me out and made it look like I did know what I was doing. He was always professional and courteous. His sense of humor kept me smiling, and his practical jokes made me laugh. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet him and share some time with him..

    Peace and comfort to you.

  5. Cyndi Luehm Simon / August 17, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    I am very sorry for your loss. Neal was a great friend in high school, always smiling. Prayers for your family

  6. Laura Scaturro / August 17, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    So sorry to hear of your loss. Neal always had a smile on his face and was so very helpful to us at SIUE, especially when we had a deadline! May you be comforted by all the memories. May he rest in peace.

  7. Debra Howard / August 17, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    With Sympathy and Prayer as i share in the loss of your love One Neal .

    Debra H.

    SIUE Mailing Services

  8. Dawn Reagan / August 17, 2020 at 2:01 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about Neal. He was such a wonderful man. I always enjoyed talking to him at SIUE. He always knew the right answer

  9. Dawn Scheller Schmidt / August 17, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    Sending thoughts and prayers to all and may God’s hands help you find comfort and strength during this time.

  10. Bonnie Archer / August 17, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  11. Jean Walker / August 17, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    The loss of a child no matter what age is hard to handle. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family!

  12. Lori Box / August 17, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    Prayers for everyone.

  13. Linda (Knabel) Jones / August 17, 2020 at 6:35 pm

    My sincere sympathy to he family. Thoughts and prayers

  14. Marcia Ziska / August 17, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Vera, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. Praying for you.

  15. Gail Hughes / August 17, 2020 at 7:35 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about Neal. He was a great guy and will be greatly missed. We worked at SIUE together for many years. He was a great co;worker and a good listener. He had a funny dry sense of humor and could make me laugh when work got tough. Every job at work was rush, I will never forget his favorite quote “The main thing is not to get excited!.” He will be missed. My sincere sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family.

  16. Nancy Boomershine / August 17, 2020 at 9:50 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Neal at fast copy at siue for 8 years. He always made me smile. He was a practical joker as well. We spent a lot of time down in fast copy solving the worlds problems together. He will truly be missed. Prayers for the family.
    Nancy Boomershine

  17. Kay and Gene Weis / August 18, 2020 at 8:40 am

    Our sincere condolences to the entire family.

  18. David Boyer / August 18, 2020 at 9:07 am

    So sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers to your family.

  19. C. Wilson / August 18, 2020 at 11:07 am

    To the HENSCHEN FAMILY in their time of grief, I’m truly sorry for your loss. May ‘God’ give the family PEACE during this most difficult time. (Isaiah 61:1, 2)

  20. Rose Olive / August 18, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    I just can’t say how bad I feel for all of you. I couldn’t get there just now. I would have tried if my hand wasn’t so bad a still bleeding. I’ll have you all in my prayers. I know how it can feel to lose a child. But no-one feels the same. Rose Olive.

  21. Joyce Adesanya / August 19, 2020 at 7:30 am

    Vera, Cathy, Mark, Brenda, Faye, and all of the family,
    We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. So many childhood memories I will always cherish.
    May Neal Rest In Peace.

    With love and hugs ,
    Joyce and Family

  22. Joan Green - Retired SIU-e / August 21, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    Vera, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Neil was a very special person to me. We always called each other cousin. May he rest in peace.

  23. Mary Auer / August 24, 2020 at 7:37 am

    Deepest sympathies to all the family members, sorry for your loss. Love and prayers.

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