Obituary of Royce Tonjes

Royce H. Tonjes Royce H. Tonjes, age 79, of Millcreek Twp., formerly of Fairview Twp., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at UPMC-Hamot. He was born on January 11, 1934 in Pender, NE, the son of the late, Anna and George F. Tonjes. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1955 with a BS degree in Business Administration where he also was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon social fraternity. He retired in 1990 after 35 years of service with General Electric Company as Manager of Finance of the Transportation Division and previously served as General Manager of the DC Motor Business. Royce was an active member of St Paul's Lutheran Church, was a past Chairman and long-time Board member of Hamot Heath Systems, was a board member of the Lutheran Home, and a board member at Springhill Retirement Center. He was a member of the Kahkwa Club, Geer and Elfin Societies, and enjoyed his family, church, sports, volunteering, and traveling. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marianne Mittelstadt Tonjes, two daughters; Julie Franke (Mark), of Lawrenceville, GA, Susan Tonjes, of Dallas, TX, two granddaughters; Lauren and Catherine Franke, one brother, Lowell Tonjes (Marlene), of Pender, NE, one sister-in-law, Marcelene Tonjes, of Pender, NE, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers; Floyd Tonjes and Milon and his wife, Elaine Tonjes. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. for the funeral service conducted by the Rev. Scott Maxwell. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 3108 Sterrettania Rd., Erie, PA 16506 or to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Suite 216, Erie, PA 16501. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video