Roland J. Tonnell

Roland Tonnell, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, April 9, 2011 at Appleton Medical Center. Rollie was born in Appleton on June 8, 1931, son of the late Herbert and Rachel (Rauland) Tonnell. He was a graduate of Appleton High School in 1949, and also attended DeForest Institute in Rockford, Illinois (now DeVry University) for a year of study in electronics. He then joined the United States Navy and attended a nine-month electronics Technician School before being assigned to sea duty aboard the USS Virgo and later the USS King County LST 857, seeing action off the coast of Korea during the Korean War on both ships. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1954, he attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison until 1955 when he left to partner with his father in the Cigarette Service Corporation, which was a distributor for coin operated machines, especially the popular game machines and juke boxes. In the mid-1960's he formed Background Music Company. After his father's retirement in 1972, he became president of Cigarette Service and sold his share of Background Music to his partner. After many years with Cigarette Service he sold the company to Amusement Devices, Inc. and worked with them until he retired.

Rollie was involved in countless organizations over the years, including the Appleton Rotary Club where he led the singing, was named Rotarian of the Year and a Paul Harris Fellow, and was the Team Leader to Japan with the Group Study Exchange Program. He also was active in the YMCA of the Fox Cities and was an Ambassador of World Service in 2000, drove for FISH, and was one of the first tutors in the elementary school United For Reading Success program. He was a member of and became President of the Wisconsin Music Merchants Association. For many years he also had been active on his 1949 class reunion committee, and was also an avid amateur radio operator.

Music had always played a key role in Rollie's life. Blessed with a low, resonant voice, he had been singing since childhood, and during high school sang in the AHS chorus. In 1949, he joined the Barbershop Harmony Society and retained his membership for the rest of his life. He sang in both barbershop choruses and quartets until 2008. During the decade of the 1960's he directed the Grace Lutheran Church Choir, the Fox Valleyaires Barbershop Chorus, the Waupaca Barbershop Chorus, and the Fond du Lac Harmony Incorporated women's chorus. In 1961, he competed at the International Barbershop Quartet Competition with the Astro-Notes. His most popular singing group was Ham 'n' Wry where he sang bass from 1975 until 2008. They toured the nation delightfully entertaining audiences with their original comedy and Barbershop songs. They also competed at the International Competition in 1985. Rollie was a proud and longtime member of the Fox Valleyaries Barbershop Chorus, as well as the Pride of the Valley Chorus, and had been a member of the choir of the First Congregational United Church of Christ since the late 1970's.

In 1961 Rollie married the former Karen Cornell. They had two daughters, Mara and Amanda. On March 12, 1977 he married Judy Williams Hocking in Oshkosh. Her four daughters (Wendy, Kerry, Susan, and Amy) joined the family. They loved going up to Grandpa Tonnell's cottage in Door County where they swam, boated, fished, biked, hiked, roasted marshmallows, and played games.

Rollie and Judy loved traveling and being together. They traveled around the globe, exploring more than 35 countries on every continent except South America. He leaves behind many dear friends from his many journeys.

Rollie is survived by his wife: Judy Tonnell of Appleton, and their six daughters: Wendy Hocking of Maryland; Kerry (John) Schnell of Valders; Mara Khae of Texas; Susan Hildebrandt of Appleton; Mandi (Kris) Kubec of Texas; and Amy (Chris) Phillips of Darboy. Pop will be sadly missed by his grandchildren: Andy, Brian, Ben, Maddie, Emily, Nathan, Kayla, and step-granddaughters Janessa and Brittney He is also survived by a brother: Jerry (Norma) Tonnell of Alabama and their children Brian (Jenny) Tonnell of Oklahoma and Susan (Kent) Hornsby of Alabama, his cousin: Elle Krelitz and her sons Elliot and Brian of Minnesota and Judy's brothers: Tom (Diane) Williams of Minnesota and Robin Williams of Florida, along with other family members and dear friends.

A memorial service for Rollie will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 724 E. South River Street in Appleton, with Rev. Steve Savides officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 4 PM until 7 PM and again at the church on Saturday afternoon from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established to honor Rollie.

Wichmann Funeral Homes
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231