William Finke, "Bill"
Passed away on September 13, 2026
William “Bill” G. Finke, age 86, of Highland, Indiana passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 17,1939, in Hammond, Indiana to parents Albert and Ruth (Cunningham) Finke. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, Bill lived a life defined by courage, strength, and perseverance. Anybody that knew Bill knew that he was the epitome of hard work and dedication. A close family friend once said “He used his body to the fullest potential”.
Bill grew up in foster homes throughout his childhood and then became a resident of Hoosier Boys Town in Schererville, Indiana. He graduated from Griffith High School in 1958. He played football throughout his high school career and then went on to play for Murray State University. He married Ruth A Holmes in 1960 and they enjoyed 65 years together. Giving back to the community, he and his wife became house parents at Boys Town. He then went on to become a dedicated businessman. He built several successful businesses throughout his career including Alarm Systems of Indiana, Lake County Answering Service, William’s Concrete Company and Finke’s Night club. He also attended school at Ivy Tech and Purdue Calumet.
Bill loved staying busy. Any project that allowed him to use his dump truck or Bobcat made him happy. He loved planting flowers and having the greenest grass on the street. He loved the Green Bay Packers, BINGO night on Tuesdays, WW2 history and watching the History channel, collecting scrap, breakfast at Niko’s with his friends, playing dominoes with neighbors, attending Sunday Service at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, going to lunch most days with his son, Kenny and visiting Deanna and her family in Ohio. He loved Ruth more than words can express and as for his children, he would do anything for them. When it came to his grandchildren, they were his life. Anything he did, he did it for his family.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Ruth A (Holmes) Finke; his children Kenneth (Pam) Finke Sr, Deanna (Christopher) Poling; his beloved grandchildren Ashley, Allanah, Sara, Kenny Jr, Andrew, Evan, Annika and Belanna; 2 great-grandchildren Scarlett and Dean; dear brother Allen Finke (Mary Ann), sister Karen Finke and sister-in-law Sandra Setmayer as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Ruth (Cunningham) Finke; and his daughter Susan Finke.
A memorial luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 17, 2026 from 12p-4p at Teibel’s Family Restaurant located at 1775 US-41, Schererville, IN 46375 for family and friends.
There will also be a Celebration of Life on Friday, December 18, 2026 at 4p-8p at Langel’s Pizza located at 2833 Highway Ave, Highland, IN 46322.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation at crohnscolitisfoundation.org in William Finke’s memory, helping fund a future cure to IBD.