Kelly Ann HenkleKelly Ann Henkle, age 56, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of Bourbon, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born on Nov. 16, 1965, to Wayne and Betty Bessinger. She was a graduate of Triton High School and Indiana State University.
Kelly taught 33 years as a special education and classroom teacher in Missouri and Indiana, touching the lives of so many elementary students. Kelly excelled at reading instruction, making every student feel valued and encouraging the arts. Kelly’s kind heart and patient demeanor will be remembered by so many colleagues, parents and former students.
When she wasn’t teaching, Kelly spent countless hours outdoors, gardening. She explored new recipes in the kitchen, drank iced tea and read. She never said no to an antiquing trip. Most of all, she advocated for her son.
Kelly is most missed by husband, Randy Henkle; daughters, Chelsea Henkle and Shauna Henkle; son, Noah Henkle; and grandson, Chase Rolland. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Eby Bessinger; her sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Tony Konkle; brother and sister-in-law, Clint and Melissa Lindsey Bessinger; and nieces and nephews and their spouses: Jena and Marc Gould, Hannah and Travis Bryant, Kelsey and Jay Wagoner and Jacob and Molly Bessinger; and great-nieces and great-nephews: Andrew Gould, Jared Gould, Caitlin Gould, Benjamin Bryant, Graham Bryant, Austin Wagoner, Mason Wagoner, Selah Bessinger; and her adored pets, Ruby, Lucy, Sadie and Millie. Also left to remember Kelly are her many friends.
Kelly was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Bessinger; and nephew, Rollie Wayne Bessinger.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, Dec. 26 at The Wooded Knot, 4655 Ind. 10, Tippecanoe, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. and the service to immediately follow at 2 pm. Jordan Ickes, minister from the Etna Green Church of Christ, will be officiating the services. The burial will take place following the service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bourbon.
Condolences or memories may be shared at the website deatonclemensfh.com or emailed to www.deatonclemensfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kelly’s name to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, www.parentprojectmd.org.
