Carl W. Onken
September 2nd, 1922 - July 28th, 2011
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Carl W.'s Obituary
Carl W. Onken, 88, of South Haven, MI, died Thursday, July 28, 2011 at home.
He was born September 2, 1922, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, to Karl Anton and Erna Elsa (Hopp) Onken. Carl became a United States Citizen and served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Ella M. Crawford on September 19, 1942, in Vincennes, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister, and by his son, Karl Eric Onken, who died in 2000.
Carl was a pioneer in the industry of Broadcasting and a legend as Chief Engineer at WJIM/WLNS CH 6-TV/AM/FM, in Lansing, MI. He began a lifetime career in broadcasting with Sarkes Tarzan WTTV, in Bloomington, Indiana. Carl was a pioneer in this newly developing technology, and was well known within the industry. Carl moved his young family to Lansing, Michigan, where he became the Chief Engineer at WJIM-TV/AM/FM. He upgraded and built station electronics systems and supervised many other broadcast engineers. Carl was awarded the Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award from the M.A.B. in 2002. Following retirement, Carl and Ella moved from East Lansing, Michigan, to reside in South Haven, Michigan.
He is survived by his wife - Ella M. Onken of South Haven, Michigan, one daughter – Dana M. Onken of South Haven, Michigan, five grandchildren – Terry Anton Emery and Karl Mark Emery, both of Tucson, Arizona, Glenn Onken, of Parker, Colorado, Kristin Louise Olney, of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Keefer Dylan Onken, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Onken has seven great-grandchildren. He was loved and will be missed by all family members.
Graveside service will take place on Friday, September 2nd at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. John Fisher officiating at the McDowell Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to South Haven’s Hospice at Home, P.O. Box 990 South Haven, Michigan 49090. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, 637-0333.
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