John S Ong

TOWN OF DUNN - John “Sy” Ong died on February 2, 2026, at the age of 97. John was born in 1928 in Piqua, Ohio to John D. and Andrea Ong. He grew up in the Madison area and attended West High School and graduated from Northwestern Military and Naval Academy at Lake Geneva. He was a World War II veteran, joining the U.S. Army Air Forces for three years and serving in Labrador. He also served 13 years in the U.S. Army Reserve in 826 Ordnance Company and with the 84th Division. John attended Milton College, UW-Madison, and graduated from Stout State College (now UW-Stout) with a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology. John’s post-college life was full of professional accomplishments. He belonged to the Society of Mining Engineers and Society of Explosive Engineers and served on exploration traverses out of the South Pole Station and the Byrd Station in Antarctica during 1962-64 for the UW Geophysics and Polar Research Center. “Ong Valley” in the Transantarctic Mountains was named after John! John operated a drilling and blasting service for various contractors throughout Wisconsin from the 1950s to the 1970s and wrote several articles for various trade magazines dealing with the subject.  He concurrently operated a local tree service and continued with stump grinding in his semi-retirement. He also worked on geophysical (seismic) exploration of 30 potential nuclear power plant and waste disposal sites all over the U.S. from 1965 to 1980.

John married Arlene Solem on October 3, 1964. She preceded him in death after 40 years of marriage. John was very active. He enjoyed deer and turkey hunting, target shooting, and pulp logging at his sand farm near Necedah. He was a member of Madison BMW Motorcycle Club #7, Madison Motorcycle Club #2, Asbury Methodist Church, and an endowment member of the National Rifle Association. He was also a life member of Wisconsin Rifle, a member of the Pistol Association and a member of the Turtle Club, the Dane County Humane Society, the American Polar Society, the Army Airways Communication System Alumni and the PUFL American Legion Post 534 in McFarland.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Arlene. He is survived by his cat, Luna; and many close friends. Throughout his life, John (“Sy”) acquired several longtime, forever friends who shared their holidays and families with him. He would often refer to their offspring (Ruth Osier and brother, Henry, and Norma Humphreys) as his “adopted children,” with this term later applied to Heidi Goehring (Madison BMW Club) and her daughter.  During Sy’s later years, others would become part of the circle that would continue to be an essential part of his life: regarding friendship as the kind of devoted kindship that involved “death do us part” and “service with a smile” … no matter when the call was received by his friends, Jim Lindberger, Tina Vu and Lum, Maury Burrows, Joe Prebeg, and Stan and Bonnie Harris, as well as caregivers, Susan Trudell and John Berlin. Rides were often offered for auto repairs or enjoying a meal at a restaurant. The circle tidied up his house, helped with selling personal items, watched over him on motorcycle trails, brought in mail, cut grass, and cleared snow, along with so many other ways that one can assist someone who was going to live forever, and almost did. Towards the end of Sy’s life, Agrace Hospice (the amazing nonprofit organization providing angels donning invisible wings) would be called in to assist as well. Special thanks to Rachel and Melanie.

Burial will take place at Ellington Union Cemetery, Stephensville, Wis., in the family plot. There will be no funeral service (per John’s wishes).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761