Henry Reinhard Schlichting, Jr. was born on August 12, 1922 in his family’s home in Forest Park, to Henry and Elfrieda (Samuel) Schlichting. Henry was the oldest of four; followed by the late Glenn (Jeanne Tilton), Marvin (Jane) and the late Lorraine. He attended grammar school at St. John Lutheran, graduating in 1936.

Henry attended Proviso Township High School graduating in 1940, shortly after graduation, but not before helping his father at home chopping wood and even for a short time for the milkman, Henry began his career at Westinghouse Electric Company as an accounting clerk. In 1942 he served in the US Army at Long Island, NY and then Aleutian Islands, Ak. during the war.

While Henry was at a Dude Ranch in Michigan with his friend, Wibb, he met Lois Rasmussen and they married happily 1948. Henry and Lois lived for a short time in a ‘do it yourself’ house in Melrose Park, before buying their home in Forest Park. Their son Paul Henry (Kathy), was born in 1950.

During his working years Henry served his church for 35 years in the St. John ushers club and served on the board of Walther Lutheran High School. Henry also worked with the St. John building committee when the new grade school was built capturing every stage of its progress with his gift of photography.

Henry retired from Westinghouse in 1980 after 40 successful years and pursued his hobby as a stained glass artist, an enjoyable and successful business. He also squeezed in plenty of time to go fishing. Henry also loved baseball. He enjoyed the outdoors and did his best to impart that love, especially his love of growing things, to his grandchildren Amisue (Matt), Karrie (Dave) and Leisa. He was great-grandfather to Ryan Adolfson and Quinten and Kaleb Thomas.

Henry became known to everyone simply as ‘Grandpa Hank’ or ‘Grandpa’ not only to his own grandchildren, but everyone he met. During his grandkids’ younger years he enjoyed being a part of many St. John Grade School and Walther High School functions. He always requested that all of the children he met through those adventures ‘Just call me Grandpa.’

In Henry’s later years he began his third career at Wal-Mart in Forest Park working as a security guard and a greeter. After fifty-one loving and loyal years of marriage, Lois died in 1999.

Because God is so giving Henry re-connected with his grade school friend Betty Dorsey while working a Wal-Mart. Betty became his loving companion and spent over 12 years with him enjoying life to the fullest and traveling the world. With Betty, Henry added the entire Dorsey clan to his list of grandchildren.

Services have been held.