Onthank, Marion P. 1920-2000

ONTHANK, JACOBSON, EICHHORN, MARTINSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/31/2009 at 15:47:50

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Aug. 17, 2000

MARION ONTHANK

Marion P. Onthank, 79, of Grinnell died Saturday, Aug. 12, at Friendship Manor.

Graveside services were conducted Tuesday at Hazelwood Cemetery, with the Rev. Del Dawes, pastor of the Grinnell United Methodist Church, officiating. Military rites were conducted by members of the Grinnell Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The son of Paul and Dorothy Jacobson Onthank, he was born Sept. 26, 1920, in New Sharon. The family lived in New Sharon, Grinnell and Texas, then returned to Grinnell. He was a 1939 graduate of Grinnell High School.

He was married to Harriett Eichhorn Feb. 28, 1942, in Santa Monica, Calif. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was a deep-sea diver and welder with the Seabees in the South Pacific Theater during World War II.

After the war, the couple lived in California before moving to Grinnell in 1947. Mr. Onthank then established Onthank Body and Fender Co. He retired in 1986.

He was a former member of the Grinnell City Council, serving during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He originated the Rotary chicken barbecue and served on the Grinnell Memorial Commission. He was charter president of the Poweshiek County Izaak Walton League and was a 50-yar member of the Grinnell Elks Lodge and the American Legion. He also served on the Poweshiek County Conservation Board and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Surviving are his wife; one son, Jim of Grinnell; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Maxine Martinson of Grinnell; and a half-brother, Halsey Onthank of Oskaloosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department or Pheasants Forever.