John C. Oberfoell 1934 -2016

OBERFOELL, GANSEMER, DRESSLER, KIRSHNER, SCHARF, HUFF, KREIMAN, GRIEBEL, MOONEY, SMITH, HAMMERAND

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 5/1/2016 at 14:25:36

John C. Oberfoell

June 5, 1934 - April 10, 2016

Dubuque, Iowa

John C. Oberfoell, age 81, of Dubuque, IA, was called home peacefully at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2016, at home surrounded by his loving family. To honor John's life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, with Rev. Dwayne J. Thoman officiating. To celebrate John's life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture wake service held at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

John was born on June 5, 1934, in Sherrill, Iowa, son of Paul and Ida (Gansemer) Oberfoell.

John proudly and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1957-1958. He was united in marriage to Catherine "Katie" Dressler on October 22, 1960, in Lancaster, WI and their union was blessed with 55 wonderful years together and seven beautiful children.

John was a machine operator at John Deere Dubuque Works for 30 years until his eventual retirement in 1990. He was a long time and faithful member of Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church and the U.A.W. Local 94 Retirees.

In his free time John thoroughly enjoyed spending the day on the water attempting to lure in the next big catch, cheering on his Cubbies to the next World Series, or even just savoring a moment with a cold beer in hand.

Family and friends were the driving force in John's life and every opportunity to share his love and devotion with those around him was never taken for granted. John's absence leaves a sorrowful void in our lives today, but we trust that he is now reunited with all of his family who've been called home ahead of him and we know and accept that in John's mind, body and spirit he had completed his journey here with us. God speed Thy good and faithful servant.

Those left to cherish John's memory include

his loving wife of 55 years,
Catherine "Katie" Oberfoell, Dubuque, IA;

his seven children,
Barbara (William) Kirshner, Killeen, TX,
Cynthia Oberfoell,
Brian Oberofell,
Charles Oberfoell,
Joseph (Denise) Oberfoell,
John (Robyn Ryser) Oberfoell Jr.
and Sam Oberfoell, all of Dubuque, IA;

9 grandchildren,
William Kirshner, Jacob Kretz, Andrew (fiancé Natalie Morken) Kirshner, Spencer Oberfoell, Kyra Oberfoell, Stephanie Oberfoell, Logan Oberfoell, Jonah Oberfoell and Alexis Oberfoell;

his siblings,
Peter (Joan) Oberfoell,
Albert Oberfoell,
Jerry (Ruby) Oberfoell,
Mildred Scharf,
Lillian (Don) Huff
and Diane (Bill) Kreiman;

his sisters-in-law,
Audrey Oberfoell,
Karen Oberfoell,
Shirley Oberfoell
and Lillian Oberfoell;

and his brothers-in-law,
Marty Hammerand
and Richard Griebel.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Alice (Tom) Mooney, Effie (Don) Smith, Melvin Oberfoell, Irene Griebel, Delbert Oberfoell, Paul A. Oberfoell, Norma Jean Hammerand and James Oberfoell; and a brother-in-law, Wayne Scharf.

A John C. Oberfoell memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among John's favorite charities.

John's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Finley Hospital for all of their compassionate care of John and the family.