John B. Oesterling Sr.'s Obituary
John B. Oesterling Sr., age 79 of Batesville, died Friday, May 17, 2013 at Margaret Mary Health. Born August 22, 1933 in Batesville, he is the son of Leona (Nee: Meyer) and William Oesterling. He married Barbara Selkirk and she preceded him in death in 1972. On September 9, 1989 he married Karen Lightner at Batesville United Methodist Church. John served in the Navy during the Korean War and after the service would work for the Hill-Rom company in the shipping department for 37 years before retiring in 1995. He was a member of Holy Family Church and a former long time member of the Eagle Fire Company. His family teased that he had two hobbies. Following the Cincinnati Reds and mowing. He loved being on his John Deere rider. He apparently also had a sweet tooth with Danishes and all things chocolate among his favorites. He kept a close relationship with his siblings and his playful nature paired well with dry sense of humor. John and Karen were able to travel quite a bit with Branson Missouri a favorite destination on several occasions. Another special trip was to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York last year when Reds shortstop Barry Larkin was inducted into the hall. On many of their trips, John would manage to find a casino to have a little fun at the slot machines. Closer to home, he liked going to Indiana Grand and his kids laughed at his preference for playing The Village People slot machines. Andy Griffith, Gun Smoke and Friends were some of the T.V. shows he enjoyed watching. He’d seen the Friends episodes so many times he could often recite the lines of the characters. Many of the locals will remember John’s love of music. For years he sang for weddings and at funerals. He and Karen also sang in the Rural Alliance for the Arts productions of Beauty and the Beast, Bye Bye Birdie and Oklahoma.He is survived by wife Karen; daughters Theresa Hornberger of Batesville, Catherine Blanken of Oldenburg, Michelle Sitterding of Batesville, Amy Grimme of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ingrid Oesterling of Greensburg; step daughter Amy Gunter of Batesville; son Chris Oesterling of Oldenburg; stepson Troy Ilderton of Oldenburg; sister Helen Enneking of Oldenburg; fifteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by daughter Donna Blanken; son John Oesterling Jr.; sisters Kate Pohlman, Claire Moorman and brother Herb Oesterling.The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at the funeral home. Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23rd at Holy Family Church with Rev. David Kobak O.F.M. officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to St. Judes Children’s Hospital or the Eagle Fire Co.
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