Glen W. Songer, 97
Glen W. Songer, 97, husband, Dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa died peacefully with family present on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Memorial Hospital in Jasper, Indiana. Mr. Songer was born on February 16, 1915 in Duff, Indiana to Alfred and Florence (Campbell) Songer who along with a brother, Don and a sister, Teke preceded him in death. As a young man Glen, who most knew as Windy, went to Huntingburg High School where he played basketball and baseball. Mr. Songer served as president of the graduating class of 1933. He played baseball for the Huntingburg Merchants and was a semi-pro baseball player. An Army Air Corps veteran of WWII he served in Trinidad and Iwo Jima being discharged as a Sergeant.
After his return from the War, Glen began a life of public service. He was manager of the Huntingburg VFW for 1 year; deputy sheriff in Dubois County for two year; served 8 years as Patoka Township Trustee; 8 years as Dubois County Clerk; 8 years as Dubois County Auditor; 1 year as Director of Manpower for Dubois, Pike and Warrick counties; 1 year with the Indiana Department of Revenue; 12 years as 4th Ward City Councilman in Huntingburg and was still precinct committeeman at the time of his death. He and his wife Anna Mae also owned and operated Songer’s OK Grocery for 13 years.
During his time of public service he had the honor of meeting and working with numerous individuals who went on to serve as Congressmen, Senators, and Governors of Indiana. Although a lifelong Democrat by party, he always said “after you are elected to office you work for the people and not the party.” In 1963 after President Kennedy’s assassination Glen with Gordon St. Angelo, Ed Piper, and Don Hohl travelled overnight to reach DC to attend the President’s funeral. As a county official he was instrumental in getting PERF (Public Employees Retirement Fund) started in Dubois County. Mr. Songer was made a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Evan Bayh in 1992. The honor was presented in a surprise ceremony at the Huntingburg City Park by Representative Richard Young.
Mr. Songer was a member of the K of C, YMI Club, VFW Post #2366, Holland American Legion, Holy Name Society and Serra Club. He also was a Eucharistic Minister and religious teacher for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg.
He is survived by:
His Wife of 66 years, Anna Mae (Griesinger) Songer of Huntingburg;
Five Children – Gwen Barnett(Jesse) of Evansville; Greg Songer(Marsha), Bill Songer(Julia), Joe Songer and John Songer all of Huntingburg; (15)
Grandchildren – Jason Songer(Valerie), Jessica Hammond(Dan), Aaron Songer(Katie), Rachel Barnett(Stuart Davis), Mara Jochem(Kris), Lauren Songer, Dr. Adam Songer(Emme), Jeffrey Songer, Jacob Songer, Josh Songer, Hillary Songer, Andrew Songer, Drew Songer, Ian Songer, and Chloe Songer; (11) Great-grandchildren – Davin Songer, Michaela Greer, Madison Songer, Jude Songer, Aidan Jochem, Madeline Songer, Brayden Songer, Prudence Hammond, Maci Songer, Breckin Jochem, and Tallulah Davis-Barnett.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., E.S.T., on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Huntingburg. The V.F.W. Post #2366 Memorial Detail will conduct military graveside rites.
Friends may call for visitation at the Nass & Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg from 2:00-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday. A parish rosary prayer service will be held at the funeral home at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday afternoon. The YMI Club will conduct a memorial service immediately following the rosary. Memorial contributions can be made to: St. Mary’s of the Visitation Catholic Church in Huntingburg, St. Meinrad School of Theology, Sisters of St. Benedict or your favorite charity.
