Obituary: Darwin E. Bongel

November 3, 1942 ~ February 11, 2023

Darwin E. Bongel, 80, Algoma, died Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Aurora BayCare Medical Center after a short illness.  He was born November 3, 1942, in Sturgeon Bay to Edward and Mildred (Miller) Bongel. As a young man Darwin helped out on the home farm with his parents and brother. After he graduated from the Algoma High School in 1961, he still helped out on the home farm which was run by his brother Delton.  Darwin would help on the farm and still work out at Bay Ship Builders.  He worked there for 20 plus years. At the time of him working at Bay Ship he owned and operated the Sportsman Bar in Rio Creek for many years.  He took early retirement from Bay Ship and ran the bar full time.  He closed the bar in 1995.

Darwin enjoyed playing cribbage and other card games, darts, shooting pool, watching western movies, gardening, hunting and was an avid Packer fan.

He is survived by his three daughters Yvonne (Steve) Benson, Green Bay, Christi (Dean) Blasier, Brussels,  Laurie (Aaron) Vallaster, Algoma and step son David Stanley, Stevens Point; 11 grandchildren Michael, Brittany, Nathanial, Cassandra, Blaine, Akira, Savannah, Akyia, Aidan,Timothy and Jadore; five great grandchildren Brooklynn, Sophia, Skyler, Kaylee and Ainslei; one brother Delton (Kathy) Bongel, Green Bay; nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ann, step father Richard Englebert, brother Edward Charles II and one great granddaughter Adaleigh.

Friends may call at the Schinderle Funeral Home, Algoma, Friday, February 17, 2023 from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.   Prayer service 6:30 PM.  Visitation will continue Saturday, February 18, at St. John’s Lutheran Church from 9:00 AM until the time of services at 11:00 AM with Rev. Dr. Christopher Jackson officiating.  

Burial will take place at a later date.

The family wants to give a special thank you to all the staff at Aurora BayCare Medical Center and Aurora at Home Hospice for all the great care given to Darwin during his stay there.

Express your sympathy, memories and pictures on Darwin’s tribute page at www.schinderlefuneralhome.com.