Early Wednesday morning, 6/29/2011, my 96 year old grandfather Julius “Jules” Sonneborn (aka “Pop”) passed away peacefully in his sleep. He lived an amazing life, and touched so many lives. We named Julian after him. He lived in Bloomington, Indiana and started an air conditioning and heating business Commercial Service of Bloomington in 1946, which was passed onto his son Michael Sonneborn, who still runs the company today which is very well known and respected in the community. Pop was very active at the local YMCA Cardiac Rehab Group, where he would exercise every day up until a couple of years ago. My family is heading out to Indiana this Sunday to celebrate his life and be with the rest of our family out there. His funeral service will be on Tuesday, July 5 at 3:00 p.m. Here is a photo of him, my mom (his only daughter) and his wife Helen June Sonneborn (who is 93 years young!), laughing and smiling together. I will always remember him with love and respect. Our family used to take 2 week trips out to Bloomington at McCormick Creek State Park, and we would ride in the back of Pop’s pick up truck, roast marshmallows over the fire, catch crawdads in the stream, and share good times together.
| Birth: | May 22, 1915 Ohio, USA |
| Death: | Jun. 29, 2011 |
 Julius George Sonneborn, age 96, of Bloomington, died peacefully Wednesday at his residence, Bell Trace. Born May 22, 1915 in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of Henry George and Elsa (Weiss) Sonneborn. He was the owner of Commercial Service Heating and Cooling before retirement. He had formerly worked at R.C.A. and Sarkes Tarzian in Bloomington and was vice-president of Aerovox in Olean, New York and New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Y.M.C.A. Cardiac Rehab Group in Bloomington and a former member of Bloomington Rotary, American Legion and B.P.O.E. #446. He attended the University of Cincinnati.
He is survived by his wife, Helen June (Arnold) Sonneborn, of Bloomington; one son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Sherry Sonneborn, of Bloomington; one daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Geoffrey Mather, of Simsbury, Connecticut; one sister, Naomi Reed, of Westchester, Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren, Krista Strafford, Scott Sonneborn, Graham Mather, Gretchen Mather, Jason Sonneborn, Jennifer Laughlin and David Sonneborn and seven great-grandchildren, Kailey Strafford, Alden Strafford, Rice Laughlin, Hadley Laughlin, Ava Sonneborn, Jack Mather and Julian Sherman. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Thomas Jules Sonneborn, one sister, Charlotte Carley and one brother, Arthur Sonneborn. The funeral service will be at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 5, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Fenstermacher officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Bloomington. Friends may visit the family on Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to the Y.M.C.A. Cardiac Rehab Group
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| Burial: Mount Gilead Cemetery Bloomington Monroe County Indiana, USA |
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My condolences. What a wonderful man and what an amazing gift you gave him by naming Julian in his honor.
Amy Ackerson So sorry for your loss. What a long and wonderful life, though, and how special Julian carries on his namesake! You all are in our thoughts.
July 1 at 10:25am · Like
Jeff Gallagher Sorry for your loss Gretchen. Sounds like he lived a wonderful life. Thinking of you all.
July 1 at 10:39am · Like
Denise Power I am so sorry for your loss, Gretchen. What a gift he was to your whole family. It’s nice to see this tribute, and that a special gathering is planned in his honor.
July 1 at 12:37pm · Like
Kathy Frisby Your grandpa was such a delightful and loving man. I am so glad I got to meet him.
July 1 at 1:00pm · Like
Hope Canter Noar I am sorry for your loss Gretchen!
July 1 at 5:00pm · Like
Suzanne Paradis So sorry, Gretchen. He sounds like a special man.
July 2 at 8:17am · Like
Lynn Yu Aww, so sorry Gretch. My thoughts are with you and your family.
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