Hubert E. "Budd" Werneke

Former State Representative Hubert E. (Budd) Werneke, 88, of Terre Haute, passed away peacefully at Harrisons Crossing on July 15, 2016. He was a prominent businessman in Terre Haute, co-owner of Vigo Liquor Distributors Inc. and Principal of H K Real Estate. He was also President of the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Association for several terms. He was born January 6, 1928, in Terre Haute to Karl Andrew Werneke and Mary Pearl English Werneke.
He married Carolina (Carrie) Fogle on February 10, 1951, and they celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary with family in February of this year. Survivors include his wife, Carrie; two daughters and their spouses, Jane Lynn Roots and her husband, Kelvin, and Susan Mary (Suzy) Werneke Anderson and her husband, Rob; and five grandchildren, R.J. and his wife, Gennifer Werneke Marrs and her fianc, Matthew Garvin, both of Jupiter, Florida, Christine Elizabeth Jaklitsch and her husband, Fritz of Los Angeles, California, Karl Andrew Roots and Christopher Thomas Werneke Anderson, both of Terre Haute. He is also survived by several brothers and sisters-in-law, including Bill and Beverly Miller of Eustis, Florida, and nieces and nephews including W.C. Miller and his wife Mary, of Deland, Florida, Robin Werneke of Titusville, Florida and Randi Fogle-Poe of Los Robles, California.
Budd graduated from Wiley High School in 1945 and attended Indiana State University. He served as Representative in the Indiana State Legislature in the late 1950s during the time when his good friend Birch Bayh was the Speaker of the House.
He was Co-Owner and Sales Manager of Vigo Liquor Distributors, Inc., and received numerous national sales awards from all of the famous distilleries. Budd sold his company in 1985, and served as a consultant for National Wine and Spirits until his retirement. He began working for his familys company while still in college. Also during college, he was the manager of Memorial Stadium Golf Course where he started junior programs and began instructing golf. Budd loved the game of golf and joined the Country Club of Terre Haute at age 17 and received a life membership at the Elks Club as a gift from his father, who was Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks. He was a talented instructor and taught his wife, Carrie, to play. Carrie won 9 Terre Haute Womens City Golf Championships and 18 runner-ups, numerous Country Club of Terre Haute Championships, a Senior State Championship, and she was runner-up in the Indiana Womens Golf Association State Tournament. He also taught the game to Jane Kelvin, Suzy Rob, and his grandchildren, including Gennifer, who is an L.P.G.A. golf professional in the Palm Beaches, Florida.
Budd was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was always present for Carries golf tournaments, Jane and Suzys horse shows and dance recitals, R.J.s basketball and baseball games from little league through Hanover College, Gennifers golf competitions at Indiana University, and Christines dance recitals at Culver Academies. He delighted in Karls State Championship in chess, and enjoyed listening to songs Christopher has written and recorded. He was the wind beneath our wings.
Budd was a member of First Congregational Church, Country Club of Terre Haute, Elks Lodge 86, Sycamore Club, Strawberry Hill Cannoneers, I.S.U. Sycamore Varsity Club, German Oberlandler Club, and he was a Kentucky Colonel. He was a supporter of Democratic Politics, Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, Swope Art Museum, and many other healthcare organizations and charities. He was a generous man, and when asked why he was a democrat, he replied, Because Democrats care about poor people. Budd was well-liked and will be remembered for his kindness, his subtle and witty sense of humor, his quiet and gracious patience, his strength, and his beautiful smile.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Karl Andrew (Sonny) Werneke Jr., his step-mother, Jane Elizabeth Goldsmith Werneke, his uncle, Vigo County Prosecutor Richard A. (Dick) Werneke, his Aunt Mary E. South (to whom On the Banks of the Wabash is dedicated), cousins Richard and Al (Weenie) Werneke, a niece, Pamela Miller Kleptz, and his lifelong best friend, Tom Connelly, of Los Altos, California.
Budd showed amazing strength and endurance throughout multiple health challenges. He received Christ as his Savior, and his family is comforted by visions of him on the first tee in Heaven with his buddy Tom. A jazz service in celebration of his life and afterlife will be Sunday, July 24, 2016, at 4:00pm at First Congregational Church, 630 Ohio Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807. Visitation is from 2:00 until 4:00pm at the church. There will be a carry-in dinner following the service at the Werneke home. Interment will be Monday, July 25, 2016 at 10:45am in the mausoleum, Chapel of Memories, Roselawn Memorial Park. The family kindly suggests that if friends and loved ones so desire, memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church, offering envelopes will be available at the church. Callahan Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th St., is in charge of arrangements. Special thanks to Christopher Anderson for taking his first year off of college to help care for his Papa, all of the staff of Harrisons Crossing, who are our second family, to Dr. Raj Jeevan and Dr. Steven McDonald for respecting Budds desire to live, to David Callahan, and for all of the calls, cards and love expressed by family and friends. Funeral information may also be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.