Marvin Cecil Henke

It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Marvin Cecil Henke who returned to his Heavenly home on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Payson, Utah at age 82.

 He was born on March 20, 1942, in American Fork, Utah to Cecil W. Henke and Florence Cook Henke. He was the eldest of 10 siblings and was raised in Draper, Utah, where he helped his father on the family chicken ranch. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1960 then served a mission in Brazil for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After his mission, Marvin attended BYU and then served in the military in Vietnam as a specialist in secure digital communications.

 He married Jennifer Fisher on December 23, 1966. They settled in Orem, Utah, where they raised their family of five children and later divorced. 

 He moved to the Delta, Utah area and met the love of his life, Jan Turner. They were married on March 10, 1990 in the Manti, Utah temple and settled in Abraham, Utah. With this marriage Marvin lovingly took on the role of father to Jan’s five children who he was later sealed to. 

 He had a firm testimony of our Lord and Savior and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving and loving those around him. He loved being a home teacher and loved his families. Music was one of his greatest joys. He loved singing and playing his guitar with his family, especially during the holidays and throughout the year for family and friends. For a time, he enjoyed performing at various local places in two separate folk groups that he helped form. He was a talented song writer and composer, he also wrote beautiful, and at sometimes, hilarious poetry, and detailed essays on various subjects. He was an avid reader, had a love of learning, and was a meticulous record keeper. He had endless patience and never complained. He could recall, without fail, poems or ditties he had learned in elementary and early youth. He was brilliant at math and physics, without his help multiple family members would never have passed their math classes. 

 He was a skilled builder, plumber, & electrician. He excelled at everything he touched. He had many jobs throughout his life leading up to a job that he loved, which was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, maintaining and overseeing eleven buildings and helping to work on others. He was something of an inventor and could fix almost anything.

 We will miss our patient gentle giant of a dad, grandfather, and husband. He gave us his time, his tender care, his unending love, his talents, and his brilliant mind. We are eternally grateful for the impact that he has had on our lives and will always cherish the parts of himself that he gave to us.

 In lieu of flowers, Marvin and Jan would prefer you to take your family out for a wonderful dinner in celebration of Marvin's life.

  He is survived by his wife, Janet Henke, and ten children, David Henke (Amy), Cameron Henke (Shayna), Sarelle Driggs (Shane), Stacey Silva (Jaun), Trent Henke (Candace), Annie Thomas (Tom), JT Turner (Melissa), Leah Bishop (Dusty), Brandi Bishop (Tony), Ch'ree Mills, 30 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. 

 Brothers: Lynn Henke (Edna), Paul Henke (Jane), Owen Henke (Jennifer), Kevin Henke (Mary Anna). Sisters: Claudia Witt (Wesley deceased), Cheryl Lawton (Keith), Lorna Henry (Troy), and many nieces and nephews.

Marvin is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Norman Henke (Susan, living) and Douglas Henke (Kathleen, living).

A graveside service will be held on Monday November 25, 2024, at 12:00 PM at the Deseret Cemetery in Deseret Utah.