Derbert Coonen

Derbert Robert (Bob) Coonen, 83, Seymour passed away Saturday, March 24 at Good Shepard Nursing Home with family by his side. The son of Derbert and Margaret (Danner) Coonen he was born on August 3, 1934 in Fond du Lac, WI.

Bob was a 1953 graduate from Seymour High School and an Eagle Scout from Seymour’s Troop 117. In 1954 he joined the Army and was stationed in France. Based on photographic evidence much of his time in service was spent playing cards, participating in football and track and traveling around Europe watching car races. While in the Army he drove the ambulance and bus and was the camp photographer. Bob returned to Seymour in 1956 and met the love of his life, Margaret Kline, at the Seymour Hotel. Bob and Marge were united in marriage on December 28, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kaukauna, WI. The couple spent all of their married life in Seymour where they raised their six children.

Bob started working with his father at Coonen Incorporated. He purchased Coonen Inc. from his father in 1976 and ran the business until his retirement in 1997. He was active in his community throughout his lifetime: he was a volunteer policeman, a volunteer firefighter for 29 years, in 1974 he and Chub Garsow became the first EMT’s in Seymour. He was an active member in the Seymour Community Players and served on the board of the Seymour Community Museum. Bob was also active at St. John the Baptist Church as an usher, distributor, and was on the parish council. In 2008, Bob and Marge were recognized as Seymour’s Outstanding Citizens. Bob was an avid photographer. For over 40 years he was the school’s unofficial “official” sports photographer. In retirement he enjoyed woodworking but, found his niche with his friend Roy Porter as they laid patio pavers all over the city of Seymour.

Survivors include his wife of over 60 years, Margaret; six children: Mark (Karen) Coonen, Seymour; Mary Claire (Allan) Bartz, Appleton; Stephen (Brigitte) Coonen, Annandale, VA; Ann Spaude, Seymour; Michael (Lisa) Coonen, Seymour; Scott (Anita) Coonen, Whitefish Bay; seven grandchildren: Anthony Coonen, Sonia Coonen, Sarah Spaude, Ben Spaude , Laura Spaude, Abigail Coonen and Joseph Coonen; one sister, Shirley Burke; one brother-In-law, Joseph Kline; and one sister-In-law, Elizabeth Deckter; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Derbert and Margaret Coonen; his in-laws Edmund and Ardina (Verbeten) Kline; two brothers-in-law, Paul Decker and Thomas Burke; one son-in-law, Keith Spaude; and one grandchild, Christopher Coonen

Friends may call at St. John Catholic Church, Seymour on Monday, April 2, 2018, from 9:00 am until the funeral mass at 12 noon with Father Brian Belongia and Deacon Rich Matuszak officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Military Rites will follow by the Seymour American Legion. Online condolences may be expressed to Bob’s family at www.muehlboettcher.com

The family extends a special thank you to Right at Home and Good Shepherd Nursing Home for their wonderful care.