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.
Online condolences can be made at duesterbergfredrick.com