Orville J. Bongers, Little Chute, passed away Thursday February 9, 2012, at the age of 95 with his loving family at his side. Orville was born March 12, 1916 in Little Chute to the late Henry W. and Petronella Bongers, one of eight children. He attended St. Lawrence Seminary in 1931, and graduated from St. John High School in 1933. Orville enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII, completed Officer's Candidate School, served on active duty from 1942 – 1946 and the Army Reserve until 1952. He attained the rank of Captain in the Medical Service Corp. In 1944, he married Barbara Hammen, high school classmate and love of his life, and together they raised their family of five children. They opened their home to Barbara's sisters, Elizabeth and Jane in 1952, and for many years this "family of nine" shared a great deal of love and fun together. Orville worked 40 years for Kimberly-Clark as an instrument technician/foreman, and retired in 1976 to spend more time with his family, his golf game, Sheephead and fighting the "battle of the weeds" in his lawn. He was a lifelong member of St. John Church and a man of great faith. In addition to serving on the St. John Parish Council and School Board, he ushered, lectured, and was a co-founder and first appointed president of the St. John Athletic Association. Years later he was indeed proud to be inducted into the Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Athletics were a large part of who Orville was. He played for the Northern States Traveling Baseball League in his younger years, refereed many high school and college basketball games in the area and only gave up working on his golf game when his arthritic ankles would not allow it. Orville was a proud member of the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258, serving as its Post Commander in 1952. He also belonged to the Quarter Century Club and Atlas Management Club at Kimberly-Clark.

Those who knew Orville knew him to be a man of principle, a man of old-fashioned honor with an insatiable appetite for reading novels, newspapers, sports magazines, and anything he could get his hands on. He loved a good prank, funny joke, or hearing a good story, and always had one of his own to share. Orville was real-life hero to his family – the kind of man/person you wanted to be like someday. He loved everyone always, and we loved him back. This wonderful man died with a smile on his face and fulfillment in his heart. He had done his best to be the kind of husband, father and friend we could be proud of and knew he "gave it everything he had."

Orville is survived by his children: Charles J. (Joyce) Bongers, Grand Chute; Ellen (Philip) Vanderhyden Jr., Menasha; Janet (Jack) Kruse, Sherwood; Anne (Jeff) Weiland, Appleton; and Stephen (Deb) Bongers, Grand Chute. Grandchildren: Christopher and Leanne Bongers; Elizabeth (Joseph) Franzoi; Philip III and John Vanderhyden; Andrew (Laura) Kruse; Anne (Matt) Lautz; Bradley Kruse; Neil (Jessica) Weiland; Laura (Owen) Yaklin; Pam (Travis) Lowe; Leah (John) Van Rooy; and Kale, Quinn and Nicholas Bongers. Great Grandchildren: Drew and Bryn Korth; Alexandra and Theodore Kruse; Nolan Lautz; Katie, Claire and Nora Weiland; and Sara Yaklin. He was also looking forward to the arrival of four additional great grandchildren.

He is further survived by his siblings, Bernard "Beany" Bongers and Rosella Van Dyke; brother and sisters-in-law: Evelyn Bongers, Grace Hoffman, Marian Vanden Heuvel, Gordon (Margy) Hammen, Josephine Hammen, Betty Hammen and Jane Hammen. He had four very special godchildren: MaryBeth Wilson, Mike Bongers, Paula Huiting and Barbara Stave, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. You each held a most treasured spot in his heart.

In addition to his beloved wife, Barbara, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Julie Kruse; siblings: Joseph and Cyril Bongers, Lucina (Nick) Jansen, Catherine (Martin) Schumacher, Marie (Joseph) Huiting; brothers and sisters-in-law: Emil Van Dyke, Roger Hammen, Eugene Hammen, Carl Hammen, Dr. E.J. Hoffman, Harold Vanden Huevel, Helen Bongers, Wilma Bongers and Elizabeth (Joseph) Van Thiel.

Visitation will be held Monday February 13, 2012 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 S. Pine St. Little Chute) beginning at 2:00 p.m. until the time of Mass at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen will officiate. Military rites conducted by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258 will immediately follow. Committal St. John Cemetery. For on-line condolences please visit www.oconnellfh.com. A memorial fund is being established in Orville's name for St. John Parish, Little Chute.

The family would like to thank Msgr. Jim Vanden Hogen, his good friend and mentor. Your gift of comfort and friendship meant more than you will ever know. Also, thank you to Dr. Jack Anderson, Dr. Tom Lewandowski and the entire ThedaCare Hospice Residence team for their compassionate and devoted care.

Thank you Dad and Mom for the lessons of life and love you have given us. By "doing the right thing," "living life with a sense of humor," "respecting and loving each other" and "taking the high road" we will do our best to make you proud.