Rodney J. Oncken

Rodney J. Oncken, 93, of Friendship, Wisconsin died Monday, April 01, 2013 at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Born August 28, 1919, in Morrison, Illinois to Alfred and Adeline Oncken. Married Doris Marshall on May 23, 1942. They shared a long, happy life together and were about to celebrate their 71st anniversary on May 23. Rodney, or “Doc” as he was called by many of his friends, and Doris lived and raised their family in Belvidere, Illinois before retiring to Friendship, Wisconsin in 1985. He worked for Central Rubber Co. in Belvidere prior to serving as tech sergeant in the US Army for two years in Italy during WWII. After returning from service, he resumed work for Central Rubber, where he worked his way up to President. In 1976 he and a partner left Central Rubber and formed their own company, where he stayed until his retirement. He was a long-time member of the First Methodist Church in Belvidere, Illinois and subsequently the Trinity Congregational Church in Adams, Wisconsin. He was an active member of the Lions Club and the American Legion in Belvidere, and the VFW in Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, Doris, a son, Gerald (Joan) Oncken and a daughter Nancy (Gordon) Wells as well as three grandchildren, Andrea Oncken of Boise, Idaho, Adelina Thelen and Joshua Oncken, both of Issaquah Washington, and five great-grandchildren. Service at Trinity Congregational Church in Adams on Thursday April 4, 11 a.m. with visitation from 10 a.m. to time of service. Services will also be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, Illinois at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service and burial will follow at the Hyland Gardens Cemetery in Belvidere. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established.