Orville Jacob CAMBIER

CAMBIER, SCHOLTEN, WAGNER, SCHWEISS, BRIGGER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/20/2006 at 16:01:29

Orville Jacob “Ike” Cambier, 83, of Clarion, died September 5, 2003 at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion. Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 9th at the United Church of Christ Congregational, Clarion. Rev. Curt Miner officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. There will be a private family burial.

Orville J. “Ike’ Cambier was born August 19, 1920 in Alton, the son of Jacob and Dena Scholten Cambier. He was raised and educated in Alton. He attended business school in Grand Island, Nebraska where he met his future wife, Virginia Wagner of Early. He then went to Glenwood, Minnesota and was parts manager and bookkeeper at the Chevrolet dealership. At this time, he became a private pilot. On October 18, 1941, Ike and Virginia were united in marriage. In March of 1943, he entered service in the U.S. Army Air Force as a cadet. Upon graduation as a 2nd Lt., he became a B-26 twin engine bomber pilot. He completed 46 missions in the European Theater of War in World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters, one for each five missions flown, a Letter of Commendation and ribbons for the Battle of Central Europe, the Battle of Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and the Battle of Germany. The 391st Group also received a Presidential Unit Citation for their contribution during the Battle of the Bulge. He was overseas for a year and was discharged as a 1st Lt. upon his return in 1945. In 1946, he came to Clarion and bought the Chrysler Plymouth dealership. In 1950, he built a new garage building. A son, Mark, was born in 1951 and daughter, Linda in 1952. In 1953, he purchased the Chevrolet franchise. By 1968 he had acquired the Cadillac and Oldsmobile franchises. He continued in business until 1980. He was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational and the American Legion for over 50 years. He served as a Trustee in the church and as a Clarion City Council member for two terms. After service, he continued to fly until age 64, owning several airplanes, including an AT6 army trainer, a Swift and Bonanza. Flying and the automobile business were his primary interests throughout his entire life.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; son, Mark and fiance, Alice Schweiss; one daughter, Linda Brigger and husband, Ted. Ike was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and four sisters.

September 11, 2003
© Wright County Monitor 2003