Ockenfels Jr., Maurice J.

Maurice J. Ockenfels Jr., 59, of Iowa City, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, with the Rev. Rudy Juarez. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Following the committal service friends are welcome to join the family at 11:05 a.m. for a Tailgate Reception at the Moose Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Goodwill Industries or Systems Unlimited.

Maurice was born June 8, 1950, on Hamilton Air Force Base in California, the son of Maurice J. and Marceyne Barker Ockenfels Sr.

Maurice, or as his family and friends called him, “Junior,” always brought a bright, positive attitude with him - even though he struggled for many years with seizures. He was an inspiration to all.

He was very proud of his job of bailing recycled clothing at Goodwill Industries. He worked at Goodwill for 30 years and had been the recipient of the Emily Helms Award for outstanding employee.

Maurice loved to ride his bike, to work and around town. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, faithfully attending home football games with his family and friends, and trying never to miss a basketball game on television. Junior loved to play bingo with his sister, Cindy, and also liked to play the slot machines, but only when they paid out!  Junior loved to attend the Old Threshers in Mount Pleasant, where he would spend time with his family, and help with and drive an antique tractor. He was always game to try new things.

Junior will be greatly missed.

Maurice is survived by his parents, Mort and Marcy; his seven siblings, Donna Ames and Fred Renon of San Diego, Calif.,  John (Deb) Ockenfels of Swisher, Mark Ockenfels of Davenport, Andy (Kathy) Ockenfels of Riverside, Tim (Lisa) Ockenfels of Mount Pleasant, Cindy Ward of Davenport and Chris (Verlaine) Ockenfels of Riverside; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Maurice was preceded in death by three siblings, Gene, Jerry and Debbie; and sister-in-law, Vivian.

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