Obituaries & Guestbook

Onen Wakefield, age 85, of Sheboygan passed away Thursday evening January 12, 2023. Onen was born August 18, 1937, in Sheboygan to the late Cyril and Helen (Bersch) Wakefield. He attended St. Peter Claver Grade School, was a mass server and then graduated from Central High School in 1955. On October 4, 1969, Onen was united in marriage to Carolyn Buechel; she preceded him in death on August 7, 2007. Onen was an architect and was employed by Steubenrach Architects, Brey Associates and then was self-employed, retiring in 1992. He was the building inspector for the Townships of Wilson, Lima and Holland for many years. He worked on projects throughout Sheboygan County and the State of Wisconsin including St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Mead Library, Fountain Park Band Shell, Horace Mann Middle School auditorium, The Rangeline Inn, and Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot, Sheboygan Savings and Loan and several schools throughout the state of Wisconsin just to name a few. He was a Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast and designed his home as a tribute to him. He was a volunteer fire fighter for the Black River Fire Department for APROX 30 years. He shared the family tradition of hunting, fishing, and time at their cabin in Eagle River and condo in Ft Meyers Beach Florida with his family. Onen loved his family and will always be remembered for his “Dad” jokes.
Survivors include his children: Sherry (James) Rieth, Lynn (Chuck) Haack, Wendy (Rick) Smith, Steve (Gina) Wakefield, Kurt (Connie) Wakefield and Craig Wakefield, grandchildren: Randy (Marla) Penney, Angela (Greg) Kemp, Shannon (Bradley) Strysick, Christopher Haack, Nickolas Haack, Ryan (Jessica) Smith, Nathan (fiancée Danel Generi) Smith, Derek (Tori) Wakefield, Nicole (Levi) Bender, Amanda Wakefield, Aaron Wakefield, Jennifer Wakefield, Felicia Nohr, Jacob Wakefield, Hunter Wakefield, Adam Wakefield, Justin (fiancée Jamie Buhler) Wakefield, Kaitlin Wakefield and Jayce Bradford, thirty six great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren, a brother Ron (special friend Mary Lewis) Wakefield and many other relatives and friends including his beloved dog “Tinkerbell”.
Onen was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, parents, and sisters Barbara Keller and Deloris Wakefield.
Family and friends may gather at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,1305 Humboldt Ave. in Sheboygan on Monday, January 16, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 1:00 p.m. Fr. Subi Thomas will officiate. Burial to follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Onen’s name.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com