Joseph Thomas Henkels Jr.

Joseph Thomas Henkels, Jr., USAF Retired MSgt, age 78, of Ray City, Georgia passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024, at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born on July 7, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph Sr. and Marie (Ambrose) Henkels. He was a Knight of Columbus Council 4913, American Legion 366, and a disabled American veteran. He was an assistant Vice President at Moody Federal Credit Union. He did outside sales for Whitehead Hardware, retired from the Federal Civil Service as a power production supervisor. He was also a pastoral assistant at Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He worked as a poll manager in Lanier County for 10 years. He was a recipient of the Gartland Award from the Diocese of Savannah. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother John R. Henkels.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Rita Henkels of Ray City, Georgia; daughter, Jennifer Johnson and husband Brad of Madison, Florida; son, Joseph T. Henkels III and wife Mary of Valdosta, Georgia; daughter Marirose Henkels of Ray City, Georgia; grandchildren: Corey Henkels, Tyler Johnson, Alexis Luke, Michael Henkels, Kirsten Maxwell, Gina Brase; seven great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Anna Henkels.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, January 26, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 2530 Garner Rd. Ray City, Georgia 31645. Family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Friday, January 26, 2024, at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church building fund. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Henkels family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Lakeland.