Obituaries

November 8, 1915 to August 24, 2011

FRANCESVILLE - Alyce Edith Onken, 95, of Francesville passed away at 11:45 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 24, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello. She had been in failing health for the past four months.

She was a lifetime resident of Francesville, born Nov. 8, 1915 to the late Roy Jacob and Edith Anna Grock Myers. She graduated from Francesville High School in 1933, and remained in Francsville working for her father at the Myers Garage where she met and later married William R. Onken on May 11, 1946.. He died Aug. 28, 1965.

Survivors include:
Cindy (Dick) Servi, Step-Granddaughter
Kimberly Tiede, Step-Granddaughter
6 Step-Great Grandchildren
Mabel Brown, Monon, Sister
Virgil "Bud" Myers, Francesville, Brother
Gertrude Godbout, Manchester, NH, Sister
Maudelene Allyn, San Antonio, TX, Sister
Jeanne Hawn, Lakewood, CO, Sister
Norma Lee (John) Hammel, Angola, Sister
Donald D. Myers, Francesville, Brother
23 Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
William R. Onken, Jr., Son
Donna Jean (Robert) Tiede, Step-Daughter

Mrs. Onken and her husband owned and operated the Onken Oil Company, a Mobil Oil distributorship, in Francesville for many years. Their son William R. Onken, Jr. was born Nov. 2, 1949 and tragically lost his life in an auto-accident on June 17, 1975. Mrs. Onken had many interests and hobbies and was well known for her collections of antiques. She and her family enjoyed traveling to find a treasure. She also traveled to the Holy Land and to Europe. She loved learning and reading and continued to utilize the local libray until several months before her death. She also served as a volunteer at the PARC Center for handicapped persons in Winamac for many years.

She was known to her family as the family historian, as she had completed a lengthy genealogical search of the branches of the Myers family tree; traveling to Illinois, Vermont, and New York to obtain information. Likewise, she was known about town as someone who either remembered or had a photograph of Francesville in earlier times. She compiled several volumes of historical tidbits, clippings, and photos of early Francesville, local veterans who served in all of the wars and a history for the First Christian Church of Francesville.

She was the oldest and longest serving member of First Christian Church where she was baptized in 1924. She taught Sunday School for 33 years, as well as Bible school each summer, sharing God's love with children of all ages. She was a devoted Christian and actively participated in weekly Sunday services and ladies Bible study, as well as other special programs.

Friends may call from 9 to11 a.m., Saturday (Sept 3, at the First Christian Church, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., at the church with Jeremy Glasford officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the First Christian Church of Francesville or Francesville Public Library.