John C. Hehnke

John “Jay” Christopher Hehnke, 69, formerly of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, passed away peacefully, Friday May 10, 2019 at his Garden City Beach residence surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Linz, Austria, Jay was the son of the late John E. Hehnke and Eunice M. Hehnke.  He was a member of Pathway Fellowship in Surfside Beach and a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force as a Sergeant with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, 353rd Squadron at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Jay worked as a groundskeeper for Ocean Ridge Golf for 18 years. He loved the outdoors, being with nature and had a deep compassion for all animals.  He was a tinkerer who loved to garden, work with flowers and watch birds. A kind, gentle and tender loving man, Jay was always called “A good friend”.

Survivors include his loving wife of 28 years, Aleatha Marlene Hehnke of Garden City Beach; step sons, Michael W. Richards of Myrtle Beach; Christopher T. Richards of Murrells Inlet; Andrew S. Richards of Savannah, GA; sister, Ann E. Lindblad of Sarasota, FL; 9 grandchildren and 5 nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Jay’s memory to Pathway Fellowship, 770 Highway 17 Business, Surfside Beach, South Carolina 29576.

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet (843.651.1440) is assisting the family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.