The World War II veteran and father of five died Wednesday at his home in Kennedy Heights. He was 82.

Mr. Woebkenberg graduated from Purcell High School in 1940. He entered the Marine Corps in 1942 and participated in the battles of Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and finally Iwo Jima, where he was wounded by mortar fire. Refusing to be evacuated, he stayed with his unit and continued to fight until he was wounded again. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for Valor and a Purple Heart.

After returning from the service in 1946, Mr. Woebkenberg married Virginia Green, also of Cincinnati.

In 1949, he went to work for Willson Dairy, where he held positions of salesman, sales manager and general manager. He retired in 1979.

"In business, his word was gold," said his son, Gary.

He was the former president of the Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Association and was also a member of the Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans and VFW Post No. 6979.

"He was very dedicated to his family, they meant everything to him," his son said.

In addition to his wife, , he is survived by daughters Lynn Ewers, Mary Jo Rodgers and Beth Dean; and sons Bernie and Mark, all of Cincinnati; sisters, Claire Crawford of Cincinnati and Joan Willis of Phoenix; a brother, Jerry of Cincinnati; and 14 grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. today at St. John the Evangelist Church, Deer Park.

Memorials; St. John the Evangelist School, 7121 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati 45236.

E-mail dharper@enquirer.com