Ostermeier, Earl Carl 1926 – 2006

OSTERMEIER, RUGGLES, ROWCLIFFE, DAWSON, DUFF, WILLEMSEN, CANNON, BITTERMAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/15/2013 at 17:38:58

Source: Cresco Times October 11, 2006, Page 6A

Services held for Earl Ostermeier

Funeral services for Earl C. Ostermeier of Ridgeway, IA were held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at St. Paul’s Maple Leaf Lutheran Church, rural Elma with Rev. Dan Christensen officiating. Norma Groth was the organist and accompanied those in attendance singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, “On Eagles Wings”, and “In the Garden.” Pallbearers were Keith Cannon, Dave Christensen, Andrew Havlik, Jonathan Havlik, Rick Bitterman, Jim Duff, Wes Rowcliffe, and Merle Havlik. Military Honors were accorded by the Elma American Legion John Frahm Post 597. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the church cemetery.

Friends were to call from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church on Saturday.

Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma, IA handled the arrangements.

Earl, 79, died Monday, October 2, 2006 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident west of Decorah.

Earl Carl Ostermeier was born November 9, 1926 at Michigan City, IN, the son of Earl and Irene (Ruggles) Ostermeier. He received his education at Michigan City High School and went on to receive a degree in Law Enforcement from Purdue University. On February 28, 1945, Earl was inducted into the US Army and served during WWII until his honorable discharge on October 22, 1946. After his discharge he returned to the Michigan City area where he was united in marriage.

On February 8, 1947 he married Harriet Rowcliffe. Following their marriage the couple resided in the Michigan City and LaPorte, IN area until their retirement in 2001. In 2002 the couple moved to Ridgeway, IA. Throughout the years, Earl worked as a barber in Michigan City, Prison Guard, and Bethlehem Steel where he worked in safety and security until his retirement.

Earl enjoyed firearms, going to the shooting range for target practice, and the couple’s pet birds, rabbit and dog ‘Simba.”

Earl is survived by a half brother: Dan Ostermeier of Michigan City, IN; a half sister: Jane Dawson of Chesterton, IN; four sisters-in-law: Lola C. (Roy) Duff of LaCrescent, MN, Bonnie Willemsen of Mason City, IA, Ruth Cannon of Elma, IA, and Eythel Rowcliffe of Osage, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers-in-law: Walter Rowcliffe, Marvin Willemsen, Roy Bitterman, and Melvin Cannon; a nephew: Steve Cannon; and a niece: Bonnie Rowcliffe.

Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.