Emil Koekenberg

Emil Koekenberg, 94, of Monon died 10:00pm, Monday, March 21, 2016 at I.U. White Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born March 5, 1922 in Allendale, MN to Peter & Louise Marie (Van Laere) Koekenberg.
He served in the Army from September 24, 1942 to November 10, 1945 in the Aleutian Campaign during WWII, receiving his Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign Ribbon & a World War II Victory Medal.
On December 29, 1946 he married Eloice E. Barner at the United Methodist Church Parsonage in Frankfort, IN. She preceded him in death on December 31, 2011.
He was an Owner/Operator Truck Driver for Dallas & Mavis Forwarding in South Bend, IN from 1949 until his retirement in 1984 after earning his 30+ Yrs. Safe Driving Award.
During his retirement years he restored 7 Award Winning Studebakers... .& a bug. He took great pride in driving his Studebakers with family to the annual summer S.D.C. International Meets to various host cities across the U.S.A. He loved to watch NASCAR & enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson. He loved playing with his grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Surviving are 4 daughters, Linda J. (husband:Ron) Burks and Becky K. Myers, of Monon, Susan K. Keys of Wauseon, OH, Debra K. Tiede and a son, Curt (wife:Linda) Koekenberg of Monticello.
Also surviving are 11 grandchildren & 22 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by 6 brothers: Bernard, Frank, Fred, Edward, Elwood & William & 3 sisters: Marie, Elizabeth & Emma.
Visitation 3-7pm Thursday at Clapper Family Funeral Home, Monon, IN.
Funeral 10am Friday, March 25, 2016 at Clapper Family Funeral Home with Rev. James R. Copeland officiating. Interment will follow at Bedford Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites.
Jeffrey S. Burks of Hahn-Groeber Funeral Homes, Lafayette is caring for the family & handling all local arrangents.
Memorial to: CDC Resources 5053 Norway Rd, Monticello, IN 47960 cdcresources.org or Monon EMT's.

On HWY 16 across from North White H.S.

On HWY 16 across from North White H.S.