Obituary for Bernard H. Ostendorf
Obit for BERNARD HERMAN OSTENDORF
Bernard Herman Ostendorf was born to Edward H. and Louise V. Cardinal Ostendorf on the 29th day of April 1914. In historic perspective this was 3 months before the beginning of world war one, and two years and two weeks after the Titanic sank. We were blessed to have had him with us for just less than 104 years. In that time he made a lasting impact on everyone’s life that he touched. He was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather. To all those who met him, regardless of age or last name, he became “Grandpa Ostendorf” to them. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. He beat the odds of those born in his era and lived to see his Cubs win the World Series at the age of 102. Bernard had a cabin on and fished the Wabash River. He shared his love of the river with his family. His cabin was built in 1955 and still stands today. He was a lifelong member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, He was one of the founding members of the Vincennes Boat Club, a member of the Do Nothing Club and the Knights of Columbus. Bernie was proud of his work ethic starting with his first job in 1929 delivering the morning paper, The Sun, from 1930 to 1944 he worked at the Brown Shoe Co, in 1944 until the end of WW II, he worked in Evansville at Servel building wings for the P-47 fighter plane. He began another phase of his career in 1946 as a glass cutter at Blackford Window Glass until the plant shut down in 1966. In 1967 he went to work for the Vincennes Community School Corporation until his retirement in 1979.
Bernie is survived by his children, John Ostendorf of Sandborn, IN and Rita Meek of Lawrenceville, IL. 7 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren. A sister, Virginia Favignano of St. Louis, MO also survives.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia McCollum in 1985 after 51 years of marriage, his second wife Virginia Biery in 2010 after 24 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by a grandchild, a great grandchild, his parents, two brothers, Joseph Ostendorf and Francis Ostendorf and a sister Mary Talman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday March 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM with Fr. David Fleck officiating at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30 until the time of service at the Sacred Heart Church. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Doctors without borders or to the Sacred Heart Southern Mission, Walls, MS.
Duesterberg-Fredrick Funeral Home was honored to assist the family.
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Bernard Herman Ostendorf was born to Edward H. and Louise V. Cardinal Ostendorf on the 29th day of April 1914. In historic perspective this was 3 months before the beginning of world war one, and two years and two weeks after the Titanic sank. We were blessed to have had him with us for just less than 104 years. In that time he made a lasting impact on everyone’s life that he touched. He was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather. To all those who met him, regardless of age or last name, he became “Grandpa Ostendorf” to them. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. He beat the odds of those born in his era and lived to see his Cubs win the World Series at the age of 102. Bernard had a cabin on and fished the Wabash River. He shared his love of the river with his family. His cabin was built in 1955 and still stands today. He was a lifelong member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, He was one of the founding members of the Vincennes Boat Club, a member of the Do Nothing Club and the Knights of Columbus. Bernie was proud of his work ethic starting with his first job in 1929 delivering the morning paper, The Sun, from 1930 to 1944 he worked at the Brown Shoe Co, in 1944 until the end of WW II, he worked in Evansville at Servel building wings for the P-47 fighter plane. He began another phase of his career in 1946 as a glass cutter at Blackford Window Glass until the plant shut down in 1966. In 1967 he went to work for the Vincennes Community School Corporation until his retirement in 1979.
Bernie is survived by his children, John Ostendorf of Sandborn, IN and Rita Meek of Lawrenceville, IL. 7 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren. A sister, Virginia Favignano of St. Louis, MO also survives.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia McCollum in 1985 after 51 years of marriage, his second wife Virginia Biery in 2010 after 24 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by a grandchild, a great grandchild, his parents, two brothers, Joseph Ostendorf and Francis Ostendorf and a sister Mary Talman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday March 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM with Fr. David Fleck officiating at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30 until the time of service at the Sacred Heart Church. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Doctors without borders or to the Sacred Heart Southern Mission, Walls, MS.
Duesterberg-Fredrick Funeral Home was honored to assist the family.
To plant a tree in memory of Bernard H. Ostendorf, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
6
Mar
10:30 AM
- 11:30 PM
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
2004 N. Second Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
Funeral Mass
Tuesday
6
Mar
11:30 AM
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
2004 N. Second Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
Cemetery Details
Location
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Willow St.
Vincennes, IN 47591
Memorial Contribution
Doctor's Without Borders
Sacred Heart Southern Mission, Walls, MS
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