Charles Sonnenberg Family

Charles Sonnenberg's father Henry Sonnenberg was born in Kirchspiel, Hanover, Germany. He came to America in 1866 at the age of 23. In 1876 he married Eliza Ludeman. They lived in Freedom Township, Henry County, for about six years. In 1882, they moved to a farm in Monroe Township, two miles east of Holgate. Here is where most of the eleven children of Henry Sonnenberg were born.

Charles Sonnenberg, whose full name was Henry Fred Christoph Carl Sonnenberg, was born on August 26, 1877 in Freedom Township, Henry County, Ohio. In his youth he worked on various farms in Henry County.

On March 29, 1906 he was united in marriage with Minnie Badenhop, and they settled on their farm in Freedom Township. This union was blest with three sons and two daughters. One son died in infancy. The four children were raised on the farm in Freedom Township.

Their children were Mrs. Carl (Emma) Gebers, Raymond, Eldor, and Mrs. Elmer (Olga) Bockelman. Emil died in infancy.

Charles Sonnenberg was active as a member of the Freedom Township School Board. He was also a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Napoleon Township, Henry County, Ohio, for more than 55 years and served on the Church Council as a Trustee in 1917.

In 1941 Charles and his wife Minnie retired and made their home in Napoleon, Ohio. Charles died on September 5, 1957 at the age of 80. He was buried on the cemetery of St. Paul's Church.

His wife, Minnie, continued to live in Napoleon, enjoying good health until September of 1960. She died on September 4, 1960 at the age of 74.

Their children still all live in Henry County, Ohio. Emma married Carl Gebers on February 23, 1930. Carl died on February 25, 1962. They had two children, Arleta and Marvin. Arleta married Henry Oberhaus on April 26, 1953. They have one daughter, Brenda, who married Jeffrey Palm on October 9, 1977.

Marvin married Shirley Hubv,r on September 21, 1958. They have five children: Debra, Darwin, Cynthia, Craig and David.

Raymond married Hilda Buenger on February 12, 1938. They have three children: Janice, LaVerne and Darlene. Janice married Roger Rausch on June 17, 1961. They have two daughters, Annette and Janine. LaVerne married Karen Behnfeldt on February 19, 1966. They have three children, Kenny, Lisa and Angela. Darlene married David Martin on May 16, 1970. They have two daughters, Tina and Tricia.

Eldor married Lorena Vorwerk on December 25, 1940. They have five children living: Norbert, Leonard, Marlene, Ronald, and Kevin, and one died in infancy. Norbert married Linda Eickhoff Drittler on February 22, 1976. They have one daughter, Victoria. Leonard married Lana Knepley on May 20, 1972. They have one son, Andrew. Marlene married Jerry Lighthill on November 1, 1969. They have two children, Anthony and Sara. Ronald married Brenda Wiemken on September 14, 1973. They have one son Eric Matthew. Kevin married Kathy Freppel on July 16, 1976.

Olga married Elmer Bockelman on May 30, 1943. They have five children, Darrel, LaDonna, Kay Ann, Dennis and Beverly. Darrel married Barbara Ludeman on November 29, 1969. They have two children, Bradley and Michelle. LaDonna married Robert Witte on June 10, 1967. They have four children, Timothy, Rhonda, Teresa and Douglas. Kay Ann married Ronald Fuhrhop on December 26, 1975. Dennis married Rhonda Flory on May 1, 1976. Beverly is still at home.