William Henry Aufenberg

William "Bill" Henry Aufenberg December 5, 1950 - February 2, 2015 Retired Master Conservation Officer William Henry Aufenberg succumbed to a prolonged battle with COPD last Monday, February 2, 2015, at his family's farm near Cortland, Indiana, surrounded by his wife Barbara, daughter Bethany and her husband Kenny Engleking. He was 64 years young. Born in Seymour, Indiana on December 5, 1950 to the late Leonard and Ruby Ruth (Cutlip) Aufenberg, Bill was an energetic youth who grew up on the Twin Lakes surrounding Monticello, Indiana. Following his 1968 highschool graduation from Roosevelt Military Academy in Aledo, Illinois, Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, completing his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California before serving a tour in Vietnam between 1968 and 1969. After fufilling his military contract, Bill returned home where he briefly attended mortuary school in Indianapolis, Indiana before marrying his long time sweetheart, Barbara Joann White at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Monticello, Indiana on January 2, 1971. Though he chose not to follow into the family funeral business, his parents and family were exceptionally proud when he earned an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Vincennes University, followed by a Bachelor's Degree from Ball State University in Criminology. Shortly after purchasing their first house in Monticello, Bill and Barb were blessed by the arrival of their daughter, Bethany Anne, in November 1977. Three months later, on February 25, 1978, Bill was appointed to the prestigious ranks of Indiana State Conservation Officer with the Department of Natural Resources in Jefferson County, Indiana, where he and his family lived in Madison for just under a decade before transitioning to Jackson County, Indiana where he served until his retirement on March 31, 2007. In his 29 years of loyal service with the DNR, Officer Aufenberg will be remembered most highly for his integretity, honesty and compassion toward his fellow man and the surroundings of nature. Known for his expertise as an airboat operator, Bill responded to countless calls of rescue along the Ohio, Muscatatuck and White Rivers throughout his career during times of need, when his skills in acquatics brought relief to countless victims in life threatening conditions. The Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division granted Officer Aufenberg the Lifesaving Award of Heroism for his actions taken on January 24, 2000 at Redbrush Park. The following year, Officer Aufenberg was named 2001 Jackson County Officer of the Year by the Brownstown Exchange Club. In 2005, following in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Bill accompanied fellow officers to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in a unified effort of relief that he was very proud to be apart of. Bill was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Seymour, as well as, the American Legion Post #89, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1925, the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #108, the Bobtown Conservation Club, the Wounded Warrior Project, the National Rifle Association of America and the Indiana Archaeological Society. Ever the avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, hunting, boating and skiiing. Unparalleled in his skills behind any wheel, Bill was an excellent marksman, gun enthusiast, concert goer, antique collector, artifact hunter and proud caretaker of his family's farm. Outwardly shy, his humble tendencies were an endearing trait matched only by his adventurous spirit. Bill leaves behind a legacy of unsurpassing love for his family and friends second to none. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. Besides his wife and children, Bill has left behind his mother-in-law, Joan White of Monticello, Indiana, sister-in-laws, Kathy (Danny) Fulton of Delphi, Indiana and Janice Botoff of Casa Grande, Arizona. He also leaves behind two nieces, two nephews, one great neice and one great nephew who was born just days before his passing. In death, he has joined his parents, his older brother, Leonard Jr, grandparents, his father-in-law, Donald White of Monticello, Indiana, and the loving arms of his great aunts and uncles. A memorial in Bill's honor will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Woodlawn Life Celebration Centre located at 311 Holiday Square Road in Seymour, Indiana. Family and friends may pay their respects during the Memorial Visitation between 1:00-3:30pm. The Memorial Service will begin at 3:30pm followed by a catered dinner once the story of a life has been lovingly shared. In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that memorials in his honor be given to the Jackson County Humane Society or to the Donald Winn FOP-Shop With a Cop Program. Both can be sent to the funeral home and will be forwarded appropriately. Family and friends are encouraged to share a memory or leave a message to the family at www.WoodlawnFamilyFuneral.com