Henry "Hank" Gehringer

Henry “Hank” Gehringer of Hampshire, IL went home to our Lord on February 14, 2026. He chose to walk alongside his younger brother Raymond who passed less than 24 hours before him. He was a very strong man full of quiet love. Hank was the 6th child born to John and Alice (Hegelschafer) Gehringer on January 17, 1937. He was a lifelong member of St. Charles Borromeo parish and graduated from their school. He was an alter server, eucharistic minister, a member of the parish council and later a dedicated usher for the church. He was member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Holy Name Society. He attended Hampshire High School for a short time prior to going to work for his dad at Gehringer Blacksmith Shop. Later he and his brother Al took over the business and renamed it Gehringer Brothers Blacksmith Shop. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1960. He served in Korea and loved to tell a good story about his military days. He was a member of the VFW and the Order of the Moose. Hank was a dedicated family man who knew how to fix many things, specifically cars and snowmobiles. He assisted farmers with welding repairs and other necessary tasks. He installed numerous trailer hitches on vehicles from all over the area. Hank was a charter member of the Hampshire Snowmobile Club. He volunteered countless hours making his own reflective stakes and marking the trails with his daughters. He was an avid NASCAR fan and loved to watch auto racing. He loved playing cards and shaking dice which he did with family and friends. He loved snowmobiling in the north woods at their lake house in Minocqua, WI. Hank married the love of his life, Judy on July 28, 1962. She survives. Additional survivors include daughters: Paulette Anderson (Mark Rains) of Hampshire, Sandra (Francis) Cann of Quincy, IL and Sharon Gehringer of Henderson, NV. Grandchildren: Brett (Katie) Anderson, Jori Anderson, Russell Anderson, Rileigh (Ben) Whittaker, Henry Cann, and Leo Cann. Great-grandchild: Brian Anderson. Brother Fritz Gehringer, In-laws Janice Gehringer, Jack Green, Richard and Vivian VanVleet, Kenny and Karen VanVleet, Kathy and Terry Railing and many nieces and nephews that he was very fond of. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alice Gehringer. In-laws Lloyd and Cleo VanVleet and son-in-law Brian Anderson; brothers and sisters and their spouses, Dorothy and Irwin Jordal, Albert and Nancy Gehringer, George Gehringer, Helen Gehringer, Frank and Mary Grossen, Carol Green, and most recently, Raymond Gehringer; and in-laws, Ron Rohlwing, Jan and Don Boll; and niece Jodi Boll. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19th at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 297 E. Jefferson Ave. in Hampshire from 4-8 pm and will continue on Friday, Feb. 20th from 9:30-10:45 am followed by a 11 am Mass of Christian Burial. Donations can be made to the family of Hank Gehringer to be used for causes important to the family.

Henry "Hank" Gehringer

January 17, 1937 - February 14, 2026