Henry L. Malench, M.D.

December 3, 1927 - March 5, 2018

Henry L. Malench, age 90, of Edwardsville, IL died Monday, March 5, 2018 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. He was born on December 3, 1927 to the late Henry A. and Mary (Rizzi) Malench in Livingston, IL. In July 2017 he and his wife, Shirley (Bartels) Malench, celebrated 65 years of marriage. She survives. Other survivors include a brother, Dr. Robert Malench of Edwardsville, a daughter Julia of Edwardsville, and sons Anthony (Steve) of St. Louis, Peter (Faye) of Sarasota, FL, Joseph of Edwardsville, and Thomas (Marsha) of Burlington, KY. In addition, grandchildren Lauren (Dan), Blair (Maggie), Grace, and Hannah (Nate), great grandchildren Will, Charlie, Sloan, Anna and Avery survive. Henry was the son of Italian immigrants, skipped a grade in elementary school and started working at the age of 11 in a grocery store. He graduated from St. Louis University Medical School in 1950, following which he completed an internship at Detroit General Hospital, and served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper/medic for two years. After initially practicing medicine in Iowa, he established a medical practice in Edwardsville in 1956 as a family physician and general surgeon. He served as Chief of Staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, and was very involved in establishing Anderson Hospital in 1977. He served as Chief of Staff at Anderson from 1979-1980. Anderson Hospital honored him with the Founders Award in 1998 at their annual gala. He also actively supported the Edwardsville Unit of the American Cancer Society, The Friends of Lovejoy Library, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Henry enjoyed 28 years of retirement and was an avid golfer, fisherman, gardener and cook. His family is so grateful for his love, mentorship and encouragement. We will miss him so much. Visitation will take place from 4- 8 p.m. Thursday March 8, 2018 at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville. A funeral service will be held on Friday March 9th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Edwardsville at 10 a.m with Fr. Dan Bergbower officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Glen Carbon. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Metro East Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.