Obituaries

Oweda Darlene (Wilkerson) Lonberger

Photo of Oweda Darlene (Wilkerson) Lonberger
On July 15, 2016, Oweda Darlene (Wilkerson) Lonberger died and went to join her Lord. Oweda was born on December 4, 1926, in Lewis, KS. She was the only daughter of Frank and Lavida (Weese) Wilkerson. Oweda was valedictorian of her senior class at Lewis High. She played the clarinet in the high school band and also played a mean game of table tennis, winning the state championship her senior year. Following graduation, Oweda obtained employment with Boeing in Wichita, Kan., working on the aircraft assembly line and later promoted to office staff. When World War II ended, she and Lloyd Lonberger were married in April 1946. Lloyd's work in the poultry industry allowed their family the opportunity to travel and live throughout much of the U.S. Their last move was to Bentonville, Ark., in 1975 and they lived there until Lloyd's death in 2001. Later in 2001, Oweda moved to Milltown, Ind., in order to be near her daughter and other family. To be a wife and mother was what Oweda most wanted so she was a homemaker for most of her life. Oweda was an accomplished seamstress, cook, gardener, and decorator. When her husband became disabled in later years, she entered the business world as a Mutual of Omaha sales rep. She was quite successful in this venture but was glad when she was able to give it up and get back to what she truly enjoyed, being a homemaker. A warm and gentle woman with a cheerful outlook and loving ways, she was beloved by family and friends. She had a quick sense of humor and a delightful laugh always at the ready. Oweda is loved always by her family and friends, and her presence in their lives will be missed from this day forward. Oweda was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd G. Lonberger, parents, Frank and Lavida Wilkerson, in-laws, Grover and Sarah Lonberger, brothers, Duane Wilkerson and Dean Wilkerson, grandchild, Shane Lonberger, and special friend Paul Thomas. Surviving are her children: Diana Turney (Bill), Bonita Brashear (Jim), Brian Lonberger (Kellye), and Susan Graves (Ron); grandchildren: Rick, Jana, Chris, Tony, Chad, Angela, Ashley, Sherry, Shawn, Crystal, Patrick, Debbie, Tammy, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Visitation and funeral service was July 19, 2016, at Dillman-Green Funeral Home, Marengo, Ind. Officiating was Pastor Rollie Collins of New Salisbury Full Gospel Church.

Published August 30, 2016

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