Henry George Retz

Henry George Retz, age 72, passed away at his residence, in Catron, Missouri, on June 21, 2022.

He was born April 22, 1950, at Suffern, NY, to Henry and Susan Birish Retz.

He married his beloved Mary Ellen Willey April 25, 1970 at St Polycarp Roman Catholic Church Smyrna, Delaware.

He graduated from Middletown High School, Middletown Delaware, in 1968 and the University of Delaware in 1972 with a degree in Agriculture. Henry and his brothers, mother and father moved from Suffern, NY to Middletown, Delaware when he was 12 years old to farm. In 1984, Henry and his wife and children moved to Missouri to farm.

He leaves behind his three children, Andy C. And Molly Retz of Sikeston, Dr. Elizabeth S.  and Bryan Jones of Marble Hill, and Matt H. and Dr. Colleen Retz of Leopold, Missouri, six grandchildren (the apples of his eye): Elanor N. (Audry) Horn, Megan M. Retz, Evelyn S. Jones, Eric A. Retz, Willey M. Retz, and Gabriel C. Jones, his brother, John E. and Lisa Retz of Conway, South Carolina and was preceded in death by his brother Robert A. Retz on March 31, 2014.

He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Madrid.

Henry had cousins in New York State and numerous family members in Delaware and was uncle to over 40 nieces and nephews. He was a godfather to Eileen Simmons, John DeVecchis and Joseph Price.

He loved and lived for farming. He always joked that if he won the lottery, he would “keep farming until all the money was gone”.

He loved his wife of 52 years even more than farming. He loved to travel with his wife and go on adventures especially with his grandchildren.

Henry was the perfect example of what a good man should be.  He was an excellent father, husband, provider, grandfather and Catholic.  He will be greatly missed. 

Memorial donations may be made to:

St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

605 Davis Street 

New Madrid, MO., 63869

Missouri Delta Hospice 

1226 Linn Street Suite G

Sikeston, Missouri 63801