Jon C. Konig's Obituary
Jon C. Konig, 72, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Jon was born on May 30, 1945 in Milwaukee, WI, the second child of Vincent and Margaret (Hoenigke) Konig.
Jon is survived by his loving wife Julie, sons Jim and Adam (Nicole), daughter Maggie, granddaughters Katelyn and Karalyn all of Oshkosh, and his black lab, Turbo. He is also survived by his brother Jeff, (Kathy) of Wales, WI, sister Kerry(John), of Corvallis, OR, in laws Peter Kinderman (Chika) and Robert Horne of Cincinnati, OH, and Mark Kinderman, (Kathy) of Oshkosh, along with many nephews, nieces and countless dear friends.
Jon had an idyllic childhood growing up in the country outside Grafton, WI. Jon would frequently refer to his childhood home as the original hobby farm. It was there that he acquired his work ethic, strong value system of honesty and integrity, his appreciation of nature and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Jon proudly served his country in Vietnam. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and deployed from Fort Riley, KS with the United States Army 9th Division to the Mekong Delta. While in Vietnam he was exposed to Agent Orange. Jon served two tours of duty from 1966-68.
He attended UWO and was active in the Vets club on campus from 1968-70. In 1979 Jon started his own trucking company, JBT Service, Inc. The company continues to be owned and operated by the Konig family today.
Jon was blessed to fall in love with his best friend Julie. Jon and Julie (Kinderman) were married on April 26, 2003 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Oshkosh with Pastor Bob Rosenberg officiating.
Jon was a man of many interests; he loved being on the water, whether it be boating with family, fishing off the dock, set-lining for catfish, trolling for salmon or casting for bass. He enjoyed cruising and exploring ports and islands with Julie and their friends on Lake Michigan. His many boating adventures and the lasting friendships he made were highlights of his life. He started visiting Door County when he was 4 years old and spent nearly every summer enjoying the peninsula and the surrounding waters. For the past 20 years he and Julie would spend summers in Sturgeon Bay on the boat. Maggie grew up on the dock and the quality time the family spent together on the boat will always be treasured. Jim and Adam have the fondest memories of spending summers staying in cabins on Clark Lake and heading up to Michigan for family ski trips in the winter. He was also a very talented cook, a passion he passed on to his children. He loved to cook for family and friends; he made the best appetizers, soups, chili, ribs, and smoked fish. He and Maggie would frequently prepare dinner together and he taught her so much. Jon also loved gardening and he was so proud to see Adam’s wonderful garden each year. He enjoyed hunting, but never really cared if he got a deer, he mainly loved the camaraderie and the joy of being in the woods. He got a kick out of the stories the boys would share with him from their hunting trips and traveling adventures. He was so proud of the father Adam is and loved seeing him with his girls. Jon was very proud of Jim for taking over the running of the business when he became ill. Jon was especially proud of Maggie and her academic success but he also encouraged her to enjoy life. He loved having the children’s friends over to the house, taking them tubing, hearing their laughter or preparing a special food for them. He taught his children many things including how to fish, make a proper fire, and prepare a meal from scratch, But most importantly, how to live life to the fullest and love with all your heart. Jon’s greatest joy in life was being married to Julie and being a dad to Jim, Adam and Maggie, father in law to Nicole, and grandpa to Katelyn and Karalyn.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Marge and Vin, his older brother Jim, his in laws George and Marian Kinderman and his sister in law Terri Horne.
In July of 2009 Jon was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells). He underwent a stem cell transplant in Dec. 2009. Throughout the past 8 years he has bravely and willingly participated in clinical trials at the Froedtert Cancer Center. He had so much to live for and never wanted to give up. He was planning on starting his 5th clinical trial this month. Jon was an inspiration to so many, he was always upbeat and even though he was constantly in pain, he always responded, “Every day’s a great day!” when asked how he was doing. Just this fall he had 12 cords of wood delivered and was bound and determined to get strong enough to split wood this spring.
The family would like to thank his oncology team at the Froedtert Cancer Center; Dr. Binod Dhakal, Amy Detzner, APNP, Dr. Carlos Arce-Lara and Clinical Research Coordinator Arielle Baim, for the loving care and countless hours and research that went into Jon’s personalized treatment. Dr. Dhakal saved Jon’s life this past summer and gave us an extra 8 months with him which we are so grateful to have had. We would also like to thank his team here in Oshkosh, Dr. Alzoubi, Ascension visiting nurse Tracey, his Home Instead caregivers, Park View Health Center and the Appleton VA clinic. We could not have asked for better care!
Jon was an incredible man, filled with faith and hope for the future. He had an amazing inner strength that kept everyone around him going. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Our wonderful memories will keep us going and keep him forever in our hearts.
A Memorial Service/Celebration of Jon’s life will take place on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at La Sure’s Hall, 3125 S. Washburn St. Oshkosh. Visitation is from 1:00-3:00, service and sharing of stories with full military honors is at 3:00 followed by a buffet supper. All are invited to come celebrate Jon and join the family for dinner. Pastor Rosenberg will conduct the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jon’s name may be made to either the Bone Marrow Transplant Department at Froedtert Hospital or The Highground Veterans Memorial Park.
Froedtert Hospital Foundation (BMT Unit).
9200 W Wisconsin Ave
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
414-805-2699
Email: https://www.froedtert.com/giving/foundation
The Highground
W7031 Ridge Rd
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: 715-743-4224
Email: [email protected]
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