Franklin “Gene” Onken, 83, of New Boston, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at Genesis Hospital - East Campus.
Memorial Service were 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Reverend Beth Nelson of the Westmer Larger Parish officiated the service.
Honorary bearers were Josh Onken, Neil Wurzer, Dustin Marston, Jacob Dunham, Marco Dunham, and Brad Saddoris. Burial will be in Drury Reynolds Cemetery, Rock Island County.
Visitation took place from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Eliza Church or the Eliza Community Club. Online condolences for the Onken family may be left at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
“Gene” was born on April 8, 1926, in Mason City, the son of Frank and Clara Harfst Onken. He married Doris Lucas on Dec. 18, 1949, in Muscatine, Iowa.
He was a life long farmer.
He was a former member of the Eliza Lions Club and is a former president of the Eliza Community Club.
He enjoyed fishing, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Onken of New Boston; three sons, Michael Onken of Muscatine, Iowa, Robert (Cheryl) Onken, of Wilton and William (Mona) Onken of Illinois City; three daughters, Patricia (Gary) Wurzer, of Homewood, Anita (Kenny) Nugent of Muscatine, Iowa and Amy (Glen) Saddoris of Joy; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and three sisters, Marjorie Liesman of Middletown, Lois Kerschinske of Fremont, Neb., and Mary Ann Terrill of Muscatine, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Aledo, Ill. —
