Henry "Hank" Martin Teunessen

Henry Martin Teunessen went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully, at home surrounded by his own Army of loved ones on the dawn of April 15, 2016 within hours after his 70th birthday.

Born April 14, 1946 in Hastings, Michigan; the son of Dutch descendants, John and Ann Teunessen. Henry graduated from Hastings High School in 1964 as a "Fighting Saxon".

He served in Vietnam (1969 - 1970) as part of the Army's 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) ' "Red Diamonds" or as the Germans called them in WWI, "Die rote Teufel"' English translation - "The Red Devils!", for they were a force to be reckoned with. Their motto simply: "WE WILL".

Despite being diagnosed with late stage four lung cancer over two years ago, Henry ("Big Hank") chose to fight cancer just as he fought the communist Vietcong, with uncommon valor, courage and strength. Upon his diagnosis, he was given 1-3 months to live however, in the end, was more than grateful God extended it to over two years.

A good man who loved the Lord, his beautiful wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, brother and sister in-laws, friends, freedom, and Country. Henry was passionate about dairy farming, which was embedded deep in his Dutch DNA. He received immense joy in helping his seven boys whenever possible and watching his many grandchildren grow. He enjoyed sprint car racing, football, working alongside his oldest brother and their offspring at Teunessen Drywall, and expediting freight across the U.S. with his kind, loving, and generous wife Patricia by his side.

Hank is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ann Teunessen.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, seven sons: Hank Jr. (Jackie) Teunessen and children, Sadie, and Blaine, Jon (Tracy) Teunessen and children, Amanda, Zach, and Ashley, Paul Teunessen and children, Annie, Caleb, Lucas and Kaety, Nick (Katayon) Teunessen and children, Grayden, Layton, Lanny and Liam, Andy Teunessen and children, Libby, Logan and Cheyann, David (Melissa) Teunessen and children, Tori, Jenna, Emily and Claire, Brian (Karen) Teunessen and children, Lucy, Sam and Charlie, great-grandchildren: Carson, Kiera and Gauge, siblings: Chuck (Sharon) Teunessen, Janet Silva, Betty Teunessen and Johnny (Diane) Teunessen.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the now pending and much deserved, dedicated Veterans memorial in Hastings, Michigan. Hank had the utmost respect and admiration for any military man or woman who served this Great Nation. Make checks payable to: Barry Community Foundation and reference Veteran Memorial at Tyden Park