OKONES, Neil Sr. 1901-1984

OKONES, NEDERHOFF, SIETSEMA

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/11/2011 at 10:36:13

Funeral services for Neil Okones, Sr. were held on Thursday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m. at the Wellsburg Reformed Church with Pastor Roger Huitink officiating.

The Men's Chorus of the Church, under the direction of Mrs. Roger Huitink, sang "Going Down the Valley" and "The Eastern Gate." Richard Schafer, soloist, sang "Precious Memories." Mrs. Leland Heinrich was accompanist for the Men's Chorus and soloist. The congregation sang "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder," accompanied by Miss Marcella Neessen, organist.

Flower attendants were Mrs. Kenneth Cordes and Mrs. Steven Hook.

Casketbearers were Eugene Ruter, Lee Okones, Neil Okones Jr., Allan Ruter, Jeffery Okones and Lance Okones. Honorary casketbearers were Harold Lindaman, Boyd Meyer, W. D. Murray, Ron Jungling, Dee Gene McMartin, Terry Aalfs, Delbert Ross and Jim Heikens.

The interment service was held in the Wellsburg Reformed Church Cemetery.

The Doyen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Cornelius "Neil" Okones, Sr. passed away early Tuesday morning, May 1, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. He was taken to the hospital the evening of April 22 for emergency treatment. His death was attributed to heart failure which resulted from his complications with emphysema. He reached the age of 82 years, 5 months, and one day.

Neil was born November 30, 1901 on a farm southeast of Wellsburg, the son of Harm and Antje (Nederhoff) Okones. He received his formal education in the rural school in the area.

He was married to Matilda Sietsema on September 25, 1928, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Following their marriage they made their home in Wellsburg and have continued to live in this area throughout their married life.

Their union was blessed with three children, one daughter, Thelma, and two sons, Lee and Neil Jr. On September 25, 1983, Neil and Matilda were privileged to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary with their family and many friends.

Neil was the owner-operator of the International Harvester Farm Implement Business in Wellsburg from 1936 until his retirement in 1972.

Besides his involvement in the implement business he was also very active in community affairs. He served several terms on both Wellsburg Community School Board and on the City Council of Wellsburg. He was also an active and longtime member of the Wellsburg Reformed Church having made his confession of faith on May 15, 1932. He served several terms on the Consistory as both Deacon and Elder and he was Chairman of the Church Building Committee.

Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Matilda; one daughter, Thelma, and her husband Eugene Ruter of Wellsburg; two sons, Lee and his wife Glenda of Palo; Neil and his wife Janice of Wellsburg; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Murra of Ackley; Matilda, Mrs. Jake Engelkes of Wellsburg; one brother, Herman Okones of Janesville and many other relatives and friends.