Ken von Ogden

Kenneth von Ogden, of Calumet Township, Indiana passed away December 9th. Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Denise(nee Warnock), daughters Kristine (Christopher Brenner), Jacqueline (Mick Shackles), sons Keith(Michelle), Karl, granddaughters Alina and Katiana Moreno, Morgan and Camryn von Ogden, Valerie and Evelyn Shackles, and brother Kurt von Ogden of Houston, Texas. His 40-plus nieces and nephews will miss “Uncle Ken” as well.

He was preceded in death by parents Elaine (nee Hickstein) and Karl F. von Ogden, both formerly of Chicago. Ken was an amazing accordion player, placing 1st in the Illinois State Fair in 1966-67. Upon leaving Fenger High in Roseland, he proudly served in the Marines from 1972-1976. Ken worked in various aspects within the transportation industry including time with Bulkmatic, A&R, and Gordon Food Service, however, he found his “home” with CIT Trucks within the sales arena.

He was very neighborly, offering help and good conversation. This was not limited to his neighborhood, as Ken seemed to know someone anywhere he went. Ken will be remembered by many for his sharp sense of humor, directness, love of the Blackhawks, fondness for Jethro Tull and Strauss, exceptional knowledge of bird species, fishing once for 63 days straight, love of German food, the creative ability to invent profanity never heard before, refusal to abandon a flip-phone until 2018, owning a total of 47 cars, always arriving on his own schedule, refusal to stand in long lines, his uncanny ability to find former marines at any public location, and amazing mustache. His dislike for the Snuggle fabric softener bear and the “two jerks in the car during the Sonic commercials” created a level of irritation difficult to replicate.

Many of his favorite sayings, such as, “In a heartbeat,” “I don’t know what color sky is in your world lady”, “use your mirrors - that’s what they’re for”, “Do it right the first time” , “Well, that’s comical”, and “That’ll work”,  will not only fondly be remembered by family and friends, but will also continue to be used by his children in his honor.  Semper Fi.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper-Kevin Nordyke by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com.

VISITATION
Friday
December 14, 2018
3:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center 
8941 Kleinman Rd.
Highland, IN 46322

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday
December 14, 2018
6:30 PM
Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center 
8941 Kleinman Rd.
Highland, IN 46322

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ken von Ogden, please visit our floral store.