Henry “Hank” Gale Courtois, 82, of Warsaw, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at his home.
Hank was born on April 23, 1940, in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Louis and Velma (Golliher) Courtois. He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1958, and on March 1, 1963, he was united in marriage to Jean Collins in Basco, Illinois. She survives.
In his younger years, Hank was employed in construction, and worked at the Warsaw Battery Factory for a few years after. He then managed Hartrick’s Lumber in Warsaw for twenty-five years, finishing his career as a caretaker at Kibbe Biological Center in Warsaw, which was his dream job. Hank was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Warsaw, where he served as a trustee. He was described as a community-oriented person, serving with the Warsaw Lions Club and as president of the Warsaw Softball Association. He was also an avid supporter of high school sports and a St. Louis Cardinals and Illini superfan. Always the outdoorsman, Hank hunted Quail, mushrooms, and arrowheads, and also enjoyed fishing. Woodworking was another skill Hank possessed, building trophy cases for Western Illinois University and also furniture. One of the highlights of Hank’s life was his 80th Birthday drive-by, where hundreds of cars stopped by during Covid to wish him a happy birthday. Above all, Hank cherished his family. His grandchildren knew he would attend every one of their events he possibly could.
Hank is survived by his wife of sixty years Jean Courtois of Warsaw; his son Todd (Sue) Courtois of Sutter; his daughter Jenny (Marc) Davis of Keokuk; four grandchildren: Alex (David) Morgan of Hamilton; Danie Courtois of Tucson, Arizona; Brendin Davis of Burlington, Iowa, and Blake Davis of Keokuk; two great-grandchildren: Augie and Ollie Morgan of Hamilton; and sister-in-law Shirley Courtois. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Hank is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Louis, Ron, Gilbert and Mark Courtois; his sister Dianne Wiegand; two nephews: Travis Weigand and Mark Courtois, Jr.; and a niece Jackie Weigand Cooper.
Hank’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 12 pm (Noon) on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw. Visitation will be held at Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw on Tuesday from 10 am to 12 pm (Noon) directly before the service.
Memorials may be directed to the Warsaw Lions Club for community projects.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
