Henry E. “Hank” Eilts, 92, of rural Wabash, Indiana, died 7:42 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2024, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born on May 8, 1931, in Rensselaer, Indiana, to Edward and Bertha (Goepp) Eilts.
Hank was a 1949 graduate of Laketon High School. He was a US Army veteran serving in Korea. He married Jackie Hunter in North Manchester, Indiana on October 14, 1955; she died February 26, 2001. Hank owned and operated Hanks Construction in Wabash, for 55 years. He was a member of Bachelor Creek Church of Christ, a member of the Wabash Elks Lodge for more than 55 years, and a member of the Laketon American Legion. He enjoyed being with his family and watching their extra curricular activities. Hank collected antique tractors and cars, and enjoyed golfing, and began playing at the age of 75. Playing basketball was Hank’s passion, and he sponsored many sports teams through the years.
He is survived by two daughters, Tammy (John Helm) Eilts-Helm of Greenwood, Indiana and Karen (Christopher Walter) Eilts-Walter of Wabash; five grandchildren, Ali (Emmett) McIlvenny of Wabash, Will (Yen) Van Buskirk of Seattle, Washington, Jessica Helm of Greenwood, Jasper Walter and Samantha Walter, both of Wabash; five great-grandchildren, Pierce, Stella, Charlie and Fletcher McIlvenny of Wabash, and Maximus Van Buskirk of Seattle, Washington; and his sister, Martha M. Reinhart of Aurora, Colorado. He was also preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Karla Faye Panariello, five brothers, John, August, Edwin, Donald, and Theodore Eilts, and his sister, Minnie Freeman.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Friday, March 29, 2024, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Chaplain J.P. Freeman and Pastor Jeff Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 3-8 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is YMCA Youth Basketball Program.
The memorial guest book for Hank may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.