Walter A. Oviatt (1918-2003)

OVIATT

Posted By: Arizona Sunshine
Date: 5/11/2003 at 18:34:12

Walter A. Oviatt
05/05/2003

The funeral for Walter A. Oviatt, 85, of Council Bluffs will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Saint John Lutheran Church with the Rev. E. Jon Benson officiating.

Mr. Oviatt died May 3 at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital.

He was born Jan. 6, 1918, in Hardscratch to Leon and Jenny (Crum) Oviatt. He moved to Council Bluffs in 1938. He graduated from Magnolia High School. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 39 years as a switchman. Early in his career he was a yardmaster in Council Bluffs yards for 20 years. He was a member of Saint John Lutheran Church for more than 50 years and was past president of Men's Fellowship at the church. He was a member of Union Pacific Union No. 3.

Mr. Oviatt and his wife, Margaret, were married 62 years. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ralph "Owen," Fred and Rex Oviatt; sisters, Jeanette, Mary, Maxine Oviatt, and Helen Davenport.

Survivors in addition to his wife include son, Leon, and wife, Sheryl, of Murray, Neb.; daughters, Sue Ellen Simpson and husband, Gary, of Shalimar, Fla., Linda Aldrich and husband, Ralph, of Omaha, Jan Rix and husband, Dennis, of Littleton, Colo., and Kris LeVier of Omaha; sisters, Erma "Tillie" Arnold of Idaho, Donna "Dolly" Kimball and husband, Virgil, of California, Joy Mether of Magnolia, Catherine Block of Colorado and Janice Parish and husband, Everett, of Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Ridgewood Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the church. Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be offered to the local hospice organization.

©Daily Nonpareil 2003