Allen Wenger

A llen “Cooper” Louis Wenger, 81, of Newburgh, New York passed away peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.

He was born in Sabetha, Kansas to Jacob Wenger & Stella (Moser) Wenger on November 1, 1931. He graduate of Bern High School, he was a star athlete in Basketball, Football and Track.  He was a farmer who ended up getting drafted into the US Army, serving in Germany for 2 years and was honorably discharged.   He eventually settled in the Newburgh, New York area and was self-employed.  In the 1960’s, he was the owner and proprietor of Spring Street Bar in Newburgh, New York.  He also worked as a mechanic at a local auto body shop for many years. He loved to drive making annual family reunion trips to Sabetha.

He lived a simple life and enjoyed the company of others.  One of his favorite things to do was to go daily to the local bakery, have a coffee roll with coffee and visit with the community – often telling one of his many interesting and captivating stories.  He was a cherished father and great friend and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his only son, Michael Wenger and his wife Joyce of Garner, North Carolina; three sisters, Lola Wilson (Bill) Ramona, California, Mildred Hollister (Fred) Sabetha, Kansas, Allene Plant (Bill) Kansas City, Kansas.  Nieces, Loree Schuster, Karen Schroeder, Ellen Nicosia, Carol Wilson, Lori Stastny, Alisa Plant and Rebecca Plant and also many family members and friends in Newburgh, NY and Sabetha, KS.

He is predeceased by his older sister, Wilma Schuster and also his cherished pets, Lucky the dog and Becky the cat.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 25, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha.  A visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. The interment will be made in the Bern Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to the SPCA or to the charity of choice sent in care of the funeral home.