Henry J. "Hank" Wolff

Henry J. “Hank” Wolff, 90, of Monrovia, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017. He was born August 27, 1926, to Henry J., Sr., and Marie (Kohlmann) Wolff. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1944. At seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Navy and became a crewmember of the PBY “Black Cat” squadron, fighting in the Pacific during World War II. Seeing the World War II memorial last year on an Honor Flight, Hank said it ranked “as one of the greatest days of my life.”

He married Ida M. Schnelle on October 11, 1947. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before her passing in 2007. Hank and Ida became members of Little Flower parish and were a part of the initial parish fund raising efforts that resulted in the church that stands today. He was a successful CYO football coach, bringing several of his teams to city championships. He was presented the St. John Bosco Award for service to Catholic youth.

In February, 1953, he began a twenty-year career with the Indianapolis Police Department. From patrolman to major, he loved being a “cop.” And he was good at his job. His men loved and respected him, knowing that he always had their back. He was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and held lifetime memberships with the American Legion and PBY Association. As a young officer, he was chosen to be on then-Senator John F. Kennedy’s security detail while traveling the state. In 1964, he escorted the Beatles to their concert at the State Fairgrounds and took them out for a few beers afterward. He loved telling stories and had plenty of them to share.

In 1974, he began a new career as the Manager of Security for St. Vincent Hospital. After nineteen years, he took a second and more permanent retirement. He now spent his time with Ida, their family, and their friends at their home in Monrovia. They attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Mooresville, and Hank was a charter member of the newly established Knights of Columbus Council.

Hank moved into Traditions at Reagan Park in 2014. The family would like to thank the staff for their incredible kindness and remarkable care of their father (and Penny) during this time. No one could ask or hope that their parent would be treated any better.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved Ida, and oldest son, Michael P. Wolff. Surviving children include two sons, Joseph S. (Flora), of Midway City, Califonia and John F. (Angie) Wolff of Danville; two daughters, Katherine A. (Glenn) Parker, of Oceanside, California and Christine (Dudley) Taylor, Indianapolis; sister, Ingebor (Ruben) Hoskins, Greenwood; nine grandchildren, Kaitlin Brodnik, Mary Ann Wolff, Leah Parker, Natalie Courtwright, Carla Taylor, Christopher Taylor, Emily Wolff, Matthew Wolff, Rachel Wolff; and his great granddaughter, Kayden Jedwabny.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Henry Wolff from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 7, 2017, in the chapel at Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory in Mooresville. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Little Flower Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Flower Catholic Church or Indy Honor Flight. Visit www.carlislebranson.com.