Henry Semph

Henry W. Semph, 93, of Howards Grove, passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

He was born June 23, 1927 in Howards Grove to the late Walter and Erna (Henning) Semph.  He graduated from Howards Grove High School with the Class of 1945.  He then went on to proudly serve in the US Army from 1945 – 1948 and was stationed in Germany.  In September 1950 he was united in marriage to Grace Sekaney, they celebrated their 60th anniversary before Grace preceded him in death on December 1, 2010. Henry started working with the Vollrath Company in 1950 and retired after 40 years in 1990.  He was a member of the Quarter Century Club.

Henry was an avid Packers, Brewers, and Badger Fan, and attended all of the Howards Grove High School sporting events. He played baseball for 10 years with the Cleveland Armature Club in the late 40’s and 50’s. Henry was a member of the Athletic Club for the past 69 years, joining them in 1944.  He received the Howards Grove Athletic Club Distinguished Service Award for his 50 years of service from 1944 – 1994.  Henry served as President of the Howards Grove Athletic Club for 40 years from 1950 – 2000.  For 25 years he coached the Howards Grove Athletic Club Baseball Team, and served as their General Manager for 35 years, Henry was inducted into the Sheboygan County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 and was awarded the Sheboygan Diamond Club Award in 2001. Henry served as Vice President of Shoreland Baseball League for 50 years.  He also coached the Howards Grove High School Baseball team from 1990 to 1995. He was also a member of the Lakeshore Officials Association.  Henry announced for the Howards Grove High School Football for 32 years, and was on the Board of Directors for the Sheboygan Redwings Football Team in the 70’s.  Henry was inducted into the Howards Grove Athletic Club as an Honorary Member in 1976.  He was also a member of the VFW Post 9924 of Howards Grove.

He is survived by his three sons; Dennis (Betsy) Semph of Sheboygan Falls, Curtis H. Semph of Elkhart Lake, and Kerry (Ruth) Semph of Howards Grove, seven grandchildren; Nicole (Adam) Knickmeyer, Liza (Colin) Huth, Keely (Dan) Kiedrowski, Lindsay Semph, Brendan Semph, Shawn (Holly) Semph, and Megan (Paul) Kehrli, and by eleven great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Grace.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Zimmer-Westview Funeral & Cremation Care Center, W2132 Garton Rd., Sheboygan, with The Rev. Dr. Ernest Huntzinger officiating.  Military Honors will follow the service.  Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 1:00 PM until the time of service at the FUNERAL HOME.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to either the Howards Grove High School Athletic Department or the VFW Post 9924 in Henry’s name.