Allen Onnink

ALLEN G. ONNINK

Allen G. Onnink, 84, of Brevard, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at the Transylvania Regional Hospital following several weeks of declining health.



He was born on December 13, 1927 to the late Alfred Onnink and Mathilda Rowe Onnink in Schleswig, Wisconsin.  He and his wife, the late Florence Onnink, retired to Brevard in 2007 from Racine, Wisconsin, remaining together through 61 years of marriage.



He was a World War II veteran who served in the United States Navy on a submarine tender in the Pacific.



Mr. Onnink received his B.S. from the Oshkosh State Teachers College and his M.A. by attending night classes at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.  He began his career in public education as a history and geography teacher but soon found his calling as an elementary school principal.  As an administrator, he established a reputation for innovation and success, quickly earning greater challenges.  He was placed in charge of designing a new state-of-the-art school having open classrooms, learning centers that utilized wireless headsets, re-configurable classroom walls, and an electronic piano lab.  He incorporated nascent concepts in team-teaching and instructing students outside their grade level.   Upon opening in 1967, Mr. Onnink became Schulte Elementary School's first principal thru 1982.  After 37 years with the Racine Unified School District in Racine and Sturdevant, Wisconsin, he retired in 1997.



He always understood the importance of an education.  In 1994, Allen and Florence established the Onnink Family Scholarship Fund, originally targeting average students with above average motivation who had interests in teaching.  The fund, now managed by the Racine Community Foundation, has awarded around $40,000 in scholarships.



He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brevard, NC and a former member of Atonement Lutheran Church and Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin.



He is survived by two sons, Paul Onnink and wife Ann, and David Onnink; two daughters, Marcia Koenig and husband Evan, and Patricia Onnink; one sister, Betty Vishanoff and husband Robert; and four grandchildren.



A memorial service for Mr. Onnink will be at 4:00 P.M.  Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.



In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Racine Community Foundation Inc. (Onnink Family Scholarship Fund), 245 Main Street, Garden Level, Racine, WI. 53403 or Neighbors In Ministry (Rise and Shine Freedom School), PO Box 1036, Brevard, NC 28712.



To leave a condolence for the Onnink family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .



Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Services are caring for the family.