Obituary for Werner Hohenberger

Werner J. Hohenberger, long time resident of Ponca City, passed away June 3, 2015. He was 96.

A Rosary will be held 7:00 pm, Friday June 5, 2015, at Trout Funeral Home Chapel and a Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Saturday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Ark City, KS at Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. Casket Barriers will be Garrett McNair, TJ Fanning, Brandon Fanning, Andrew Hohenberger, Nicholas Punches and Charlie Punches.

Werner was born April 5, 1919 in Fredericksburg, TX. He was the son of Helmuth and Emma Cowan Hohenberger.

At the age of 9 months he moved with his parents to their ranch south of Blanco, TX where he grew up. He graduated from Blanco High School and attended college in Austin, TX.

He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II from September 1941 to December 1945 attaining the rank of Master Sergeant and Sergeant Major with foreign service in the South Pacific, including New Guinea and Philippine Islands.

His Army Service citations include, the American Theater Campaign medal; American Defense Service medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal with 3 Bronze Stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star.

Werner married Mary Ellen Somers on December 22, 1946 in Winfield, KS. They made their home in Washington D.C and Austin, TX during the two years he worked for Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson.

In December 1947, he took a job with Continental Oil Company (Conoco) in Ponca City, OK after working through several accounting jobs he became Assistant Director of the Exploration Production and Minerals Accounting Division of the Controller’s Department. In 1978 he lived in London, England working on an assignment with Conoco. In 1983 he transferred to an overseas Indonesia as Financial Training Advisor in the Finance Department. He retired from there in May, 1985 with a total of 37 years of service with Conoco.

Werner was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus which he served 2 terms as Grand Knight, Scout Master, PTC, Men’s Choir, and American Legion.

He and Mary Ellen have five children. He is survived by all children; Mark Alton of Stephenville, TX, Gary Werner of Oklahoma City, OK, Rita Ann Olsgard of Fort Collins, CO, Linda Theresa Fanning of Oklahoma City, OK and Mary Julie Punches of Fort Worth, TX. Also fifteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brother, Alton and Monroe Hohenberger and one sister Anita Bowen.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 415 S 7th St Ponca City, OK 74601 or Mercy Hospice, 4401 W. Memorial Road Oklahoma City, OK 73134.

Source: Trout Funeral Home