Anthony J. Hoene

EFFINGHAM — Anthony J. “Tony” Hoene, 62, of Effingham died at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at Pana Community Hospital, Pana.

   Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Effingham, with burial and graveside rites at St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Effingham, with a 7:30 p.m. parish wake service. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Bauer Funeral Home, Effingham, is in charge of arrangements.

   Mr. Hoene was born Feb. 8, 1948, in Effingham, the son of Norbert and Alice (Jansen) Hoene. He married his soulmate, Marjorie A. “Marj” Dettert, on Aug. 30, 1974.

   He was owner/operator of A&B Construction and was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and Effingham VFW Post 1769. He serviced in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

   Surviving are his wife, Marj of Effingham; sons, Jonathan (Julie) of Effingham, Andrew (Brooke) of Mattoon, Kevin (Anita) of Bethany, Adam (Katie) of Mattoon; daughter, Elisabeth of Champaign; grandchildren, Gavin, Drew, Ellie, Lauryn, Tyler; brothers, Chuck (Mary Lou) of Toledo, Irv (Jody) of Teutopolis, Patrick (Jamie) of Charleston, Larry (Joanna) of Sigel, Ed (Tonya) of Neoga; sisters, Ann (Bob) Overbeck of Effingham, Clare Swingler of Teutopolis, Angie (Tom) Hotze of Teutopolis, Christy (Ron) Repking of Effingham, Francine (Maurice) Ochs of West Liberty and Monica (Keith) Carman of Sullivan.

   He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dan; and a brother-in-law, Clayton Swingler.

   Tony truly loved working with his hands and in the construction trade. He was a master of the trade, a self-proclaimed surgeon with a saw, and could do anything with a piece of wood. He passed his talents to each of his kids, and everything they build is an extension of him. However, his greatest masterpiece was the family he built with his loving wife. The sun rose and set around his wife, and he cherished every second spent with her, their children, and grandchildren whether working on a new house, traveling, camping, or simply sitting around the pool or out in the shed.

   Tony never knew a stranger. Some would say that he had the gift of gab and some would say that he just loved to talk. He told his stories and others, but he always had an entertaining tale to tell or piece of wisdom to pass to you.

   Tony made each and everyone around him feel welcome, at ease and happy in his presence. He was the glowing smile that greeted us all with a warm hug to follow. Tony was always a highlight at any function, whether he was telling a new story or talking of a new project he was working on. It was always a special event to hear him speak in great detail and with such great enthusiasm about his new findings and what his children had just done.

   Tony loved to travel with his wife and family. He thoroughly enjoyed driving to a new place and gazing out the window at the scenery he passed. He especially relished camping and visiting a winery or historic site. Each new destination was a new exciting story that he couldn’t wait to share.

   The world has lost a truly amazing husband, father, and man.