Henry Joseph Nauts

Henry Joseph (Hank) Nauts, 94, of Fort Wayne, IN, died at Parkview Hospital on Sunday, March 1, 2026, after a brief illness.

He was born in Mishawaka, IN, on March 16, 1931, to Alphons Nauts and Maria (De Block) Nauts, who preceded him in death along with his two sisters, Yvonne Lievens and Dorothy Gaut.

Hank never met a stranger. Growing up around his parents’ tavern and grocery store, he was outgoing, quick-witted, and easily mastered the ”gift of gab.” In his youth, Hank attended Saint Bavo Grade School and then Mishawaka High School. After high school, he attended IUSB for a year. Not feeling particularly challenged, he then attended the University of Notre Dame. But service to his country called, and Hank enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in the Korean War, primarily stationed in Japan and Iwo Jima for four years.

After serving his country, Hank returned to Mishawaka. With his aptitude in mathematics and numbers, in addition to his outgoing personality, Hank was hired by Valley American Bank and served at the West End branch on Seventh and West Street in Mishawaka. This largely Belgian and Italian community benefited greatly from Hank’s understanding of the local culture and his ability to speak fluent Flemish. Hank understood the hard-working nature of this immigrant community and worked hard to assist them in acquiring loans, mortgages, etc., knowing they would meet their commitments. This earned him the nickname “Hank the bank.“ Hank retired from Valley Bank, as a vice president after over 35 years of service. He ended his career where it started, at the Mishawaka West End branch serving the people he knew and loved.

Because of his closeness with the Belgian community, and a lifelong member of the BK club, a local Belgian Social Club, Hank was appointed Honorary Belgian Consul for Indiana. He assisted many Belgian business owners in navigating the paperwork and translation required to become established and succeed in the Midwest. Because of his many years of service to the Belgian community, in 1988 Hank received the high honor of “Knight in the Order of Leopold II” from King Baudouin of Belgium. It was an honor he cherished.

And speaking of cherishing, Hank met the love of his life, Mary, while she was working at Smessaert Insurance Agency. He was smitten with her. After a brief courtship, Hank proposed on Valentine’s Day, hiding the engagement ring in a lovely big box of chocolates. They were married on September 17, 1966, at her parents’ house on 16th St. They were married for 59 happy years.

They had a vibrant social life with their many close friends. Both were heavily involved in the BK Club. Hank was a board member and president of the club, while Mary played a major role in the women’s auxiliary. They were a team throughout their lives together. Loving and taking care of each other to the very end. Hank would often call Mary, “his pretty lady.“

Mary and Hank raised their two children, Alan and Barbara, in a loving and supportive home. When they were young, there were many trips to Chicago to visit the countless museums and aquariums, amusement parks, and numerous visits to Florida to visit their maternal grandparents.

Hank was the manager of the BK Club fast-pitch softball team for many years, and, as a family, they attended nearly every game, both local and throughout the Midwest. After each local game, they would regularly head down to the BK Club for celebration and camaraderie. Hank remained friends with his teammates for many years.

As everyone got older, you would often hear Alan and Barb tell others, “We don’t just love our parents, we like our parents.” There was always mutual support and concern for one another, kind-hearted kidding around, and play, and total joy of being in each other’s company. Both Alan and Barb couldn’t be more proud of their father.

Hank was a tremendous advocate for the city of Mishawaka and its community. So much so that he ran for city council in the 1970s, winning an at-large seat. He was appointed president of the Mishawaka Common Council during his tenure. He was committed to Mishawaka‘s growth.

Throughout his life, Hank had so many close friends, too many to mention. They were his “do or die“ friends. Loyal to the end. They laughed hard, and they played hard. And their families became close, too. Over the years, Hank has attended many of their funerals. He was one of the last of an incredible, tight-knit group of friends. Only one remains, and he will surely be at Hank‘s funeral to send him off.

You can’t talk about Hank without talking about sports. It was his passion. A lifelong supporter of the Detroit Lions and Tigers. As a young teenager, he would often take a bus to Detroit in order to watch them play. In addition, he was an avid Notre Dame fan. His buddies and their families would tailgate at every home game for decades, even renting a big RV when the weather got too cold. He loved being in the stands cheering on the Fighting Irish. He used to tease his friends that one day he would be on that field. During one home game in the 70s, Hank snuck below the stands and presented his councilman‘s badge to Security. They let him through. The game was about to begin and the Fighting Irish ran onto the field. And there was Hank running right along with them. The biggest smile on his face. He ran by his buddies who couldn’t believe it. He finally made it on the field. He used to love to tell that story.

Football was certainly a passion for Hank. While both of his children were attending Marian High School, and after, he volunteered to keep the stats for the football team. He would also take Barb and her friends to away games with him. For years, he got to run up and down the sideline at Marian‘s games. He loved every minute of it.

Hank and family were long-time parishioners of Saint Bavo Catholic Church, and Hank was very involved in fundraising efforts for both the school and church. He coached the boys’ basketball team for several years.

Though Hank enjoyed his sports, community, and his friends, one of his favorite loves was that of being a grandparent. He treasured his time with his grandkids, Lauren and Mitchell (and later great-grandchildren) and loved being their papa, never failing to joke around with them and let them know how much they were loved and cared for.

Hank will always be remembered for his wit and joyful spirit and the way he always made you feel like the most important person in the room. We’ll always remember Hank saying, later in life, when asked how he was feeling, Hank would say, “still kicking, just not as high.“ His family couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and cousin. They will miss him every single day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those that loved him.

The family would also like to thank the nurses, technicians, and doctors at Parkview Regional Hospital for their tender care of Hank.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, two children, Alan Nauts and Barbara (Michael) Meyer-Wiemann, two grandchildren, Mitchell (Vickey) Meyer and Lauren (Charlie) Wagner, as well as two great-grandchildren.

A meet and greet for family and friends will be at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544 on Thursday, March 12 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with funeral Mass immediately following at St. Bavo Church, 501 W. 7th St., Mishawaka, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BK Club, 721 S. West St., Mishawaka, IN 46544.

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