Arthur David Wehenkel, known to all as Artie, penned the final chapter in a life filled with dedication to family, faith, and community on August 3, 2026. He passed peacefully with his best friend and beloved wife by his side.
Artie, born in 1950, grew up in Williston Park on Long Island, New York, where he went on to become a multi-sport athlete. He was an honors English student and dreamed of being a high school teacher. After graduating high school, he pursued higher education at Tusculum College in Greeneville, TN, but instead found the love of his life while working at a local service station. When the owner’s younger sister, Tenna, drove up in her 1969 Z-28 Camaro, he was smitten and spent the next 56 years falling in love with her each and every day.
Two children, Tallye and Todd, were born to them in the 1970s, and they would spend the next two decades creating an idyllic childhood for them, punctuated by many moves that never left the Greeneville city limits. Artie’s real claim to fame was as Pop Pop to four adoring grandchildren, who were blessed beyond measure by him and Gigi and, as they both declared, would be spoiled even more if they could go back and do it all over again.
Artie’s career path made him a man with great knowledge and talent in many areas. Whether you need to fix a truck, fight a fire, remodel a house, mend a piece of jewelry, buy a car, or create an ad in The Greeneville Sun, Artie could do all these things. The thread through all of these was his care for others. He always considered it an honor to be asked by others to help them.
The final stop on his career journey landed him at The Greeneville Sun, where he made friends who became family. People often dropped by his office for a laugh, a bit of advice, or a few peanut M&Ms. Artie believed deeply in the power and importance of the community newspaper and continued working long after his official retirement as Advertising Director.
He became involved in several organizations to give back to the community where he made his home. He was a 32nd-degree Mason, Past President of the Greeneville Kiwanis Club, a Greene County Partnership Green Coat Ambassador, and a member of the Jaycee Club. He was also an active member of Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church as long as his health permitted.
When he was not exploring antique stores with his wife or taking a grandchild on an adventure, Artie loved to play golf with his buddies, The Posse. He also read voraciously, often trading books with friends with a similar appetite for thrillers and whodunits.
Artie was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Julia Wehenkel; sister, Lois Compton; and his in-laws, Hilbert and Maude Hayes, whom he adored and loved as his own.
He is survived by his wife, Tenna; daughter, Tallye Gass (Kevin); son, Todd Wehenkel (Angie); grandchildren, Grace Gass-Johnson (Dallas), Jacob Gass, Cate Gass, and Lincoln Wehenkel; and a sister and her family.
The family will forever be grateful for the care of Amedisys Hospice and the friendship of Bill and Debra Jones, Phil and Pam Gentry, Jerry and Brenda Hankins, Gregg Jones, John Jones, Jr., Dale Long, Jimmy Gregory, Rachel McNeese, and John Cash.
The service will be held Saturday, August 8, at Jeffers Mortuary, located at 208 N. College St., Greeneville, TN. Visitation will be 12:00–3:00. Rev. Joey Tillery will officiate the memorial service following visitation, and the graveside service at Carter’s Station after the memorial service. Pallbearers will be Dale Long, Phil Gentry, Bill Jones, Jimmy Gregory, Kelly Greene, Dallas Johnson, Todd Wehenkel, Lincoln Wehenkel, Jacob Gass, and Kevin Gass.
Honorary pallbearers include staff members of The Greeneville Sun, members of the USS Greeneville Committee and USS Greeneville Plank Holders, the Volunteer State Auto Club, Greeneville Masonic Lodge #3, the Greeneville Kiwanis Club, the John M. Jones family, Brandy Holder (FNP), Tom Moore, John Cash, Bob Windham, Allen Bruce, Doyle Sweeney, Opie Crum, Matt Tanner, and Ralph Baldwin.
While cancer may have shortened his life, it did not diminish the impact he made on those around him. As he did in life, Artie continued to think of others and asked that any memorials be given as donations in his memory to Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC.
