John Albert Henke, 85, of Ann Arbor, passed away on May 19, 2025, surrounded by his family. In the last months of his life he was cared for by Arbor Hospice. Jack was born on July 9, 1939, to Arthur and Ruth Henke of Flint, MI. He was the middle of 3 children.
Jack attended Flint Technical High School and enrolled in the Technical program at AC Sparkplug, earning a Certification as a Tool and Die maker. Legend tells that Jack was not very interested in applying himself until he started dating a young lady he had met at their church, Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Flint. He realized that if he were to keep this young lady, Donna Owen, he would need to up his game. Jack enrolled at Flint Junior College, applied himself to his studies, and finished his undergraduate education at University of Michigan, Flint. With the help of the love of his life, Donna, Jack applied to and was accepted to Medical School. Jack and Donna were married on June 27, 1964. They were inseparable for the next 57 years, until the passing of Donna in 2022.
Jack attended The University of Michigan School of Medicine, graduating in 1969. After a year of internship in Chicago, he returned to Ann Arbor for a residency in Orthopedic Surgery. After serving in the Air Force for 2 years, the family, now including Douglas in 1969 and Ryan in 1971, settled in Ann Arbor for good. Jack joined an existing Orthopedic practice in Ann Arbor and practiced Orthopedics at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital until retiring in 2010. He loved his patients and spent his career developing long lasting friendships with patients, co-workers, and employees.
Jack had many different hobbies. He spent numerous evenings painting watercolors and had several of his works shown in the halls of St. Joseph Hospital, of which he would credit Sue Heys for mentoring this hobby. His major passion was Trains. He and his close friends would spend many evenings in the ‘Train Room’ above the garage, an amazing labor of love for over 20 years. Three O scale and one Lionel track would allow for hours of modeling, a trestle and a truss bridge accommodated all four tracks! Alex Azery, a longtime friend, could be credited with hours of ‘love’ and construction. The grandchildren grew up calling Jack ‘Papa Woo Woo’, and couldn’t wait to run the trains! His group of great friends- Dave VY, Ted R, Tom L, Larry M, Art H, Alex K, and Dave B were all members of the ‘Train Weenies”!
Jack and Donna were members of Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church for close to 40 years. They were members of the choir for many years. Jack was a devout Christian and loved his church, arriving many times directly from the hospital on Sunday mornings to join his family after checking on his patients early in the morning.
Jack spent several years with his boys as a YMCA ‘Indian Guide’. He would never miss a meeting and his boys fondly remember the many friendships made and the lifelong friends that Jack kept well after with the other Dads. He was on the board of Arbor Hospice in its formative years (poetic to be cared for by Arbor Hospice at the end).
Donna loved sports and would drag Jack to any sporting event, especially University of Michigan games. It didn’t matter if it was football, basketball, baseball, hockey, or track. If you could root for it, Jack and Donna were there.
Jack and Donna were travelers. They travelled to all 50 states and 6 continents with family and friends. They loved their 5 grandchildren dearly and were regular fixtures in their care, especially when they were little. They included their grandchildren in many of their travel adventures and vacations including a yearly trip to Crystal Lake.
Jack is survived by his two brothers, Arthur (Elaine) and Carl (Geneva), three Brother-in-law’s and a Sister-in-law, many nieces and nephews, his sons Doug (Natalie) and Ryan (Ann), and grandchildren Gannon, Will, Linnea, Ian, and Tys. Jack was predeceased by Donna (5/18/2022).
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on August 23rd, 2025, at 3 p.m., at Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church, 1717 Broadway, Ann Arbor. A reception will follow, in order to further celebrate with Family and Friends.
Jack joined Rotary in 2005 and was a regular attendee.
