June 11, 1921 - Oct. 3, 2011

WAKARUSA — Robert John Ogren, who resided at Miller's Merry Manor in Wakarusa, passed away Monday, Oct. 3, 2011.

Robert J. Ogren, the son of Charles and Mary Ogren, was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on June 11, 1921. He married Virginia Wagner on Feb. 16, 1946. His wife, Virginia Wagner Ogren, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Gronke (Bill) of Lake Geneva, Wis.; three sons, Hugh (Lynn) Ogren of Mishawaka, Jim Ogren of San Francisco and Paul Ogren (Beth) of Minneapolis; his eight grandchildren, Katie, Mark (Heather) and Thomas (Katie) Rylko, Paul and Molly Ogren and Ben, Peter and Jacob Ogren; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler Braet, Joshua Rylko and Jackson Rylko. His brother, C. William Ogren of Kansas City, Mo.; and his sister, Virginia Ogren Kwantz of Middlebury, Conn., preceded him in death.

Friends may call for one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart, officiated by Father William "Bill" Sullivan. Burial will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Navy burial honor detail.

Mr. Ogren graduated from Bassick High School in Bridgeport in 1939; from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1943 with a business degree; and attained his certified public accountant (CPA) in 1982. During World War II, Mr. Ogren was a lieutenant on a landing ship tank in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946. He was first employed by the Andrews Jergen Co. in Cincinnati before working at the Capital Varsity Cleaning Co. in Oxford, Ohio. In 1965, Mr. Ogren moved to Elkhart to work with ILC Products for eight years and then retired from Morgan Drive Away in 1986. Upon receiving his CPA, Mr. Ogren worked for H&R Block during tax seasons.

Mr. Ogren was active in church activities, scouting programs and the Financial Executive Institute. Mr. Ogren was a loyal member of Junto. He also delivered for Meals on Wheels for 15 years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Real Services (agency responsible for Meals on Wheels), P.O. Box 1835, South Bend, IN 46634 and St. Thomas the Apostle School, 1405 N. Main St, Elkhart, IN 46514.

The family would like to thank the staff at Miller's Merry Manor, where Mr. Ogren resided, for their fine care, kindness and support over the last eight years.

Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home , here online condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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