Reese Elray Olger

Reese Olger Obituary

Reese Elray Olger East Lansing Reese went to be with his Heavenly Father on August 25, 2009. Reese Elray Olger was a resident of East Lansing, MI. Reese was born August 22, 1931 in Lansing, MI, son of James G. Olger and Lena Bellinger Olger. After graduation from Perry High School in 1949, he entered Flint Barber Institute and began his barbering career here in the East Lansing area. From 1953 - 1955 Reese enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the states and at Camp Zama, Japan. After his Army service he returned to barbering in East Lansing where he met and married his wife of 53 years, Rosalie Ann Eppich of East Lansing. Reese began singing Barbershop Quartet music with the Capital City Chordsman (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.) where he has been an active member for the past 48 years. From 1970 till 1981 Reese owned and operated the Donut Depot and Spudnut in East Lansing. He then went to work at MDOC at Jackson Prison in food service for 10 years. Reese retired from barbering this last year. For 42 years Reese was a dedicated member of Trinity Church. Reese is remembered as a loving husband and father whose endless devotion to serving others will be deeply missed. Reese is survived by his wife Rosalie and their three children Angela Olger of Lansing, Reese Olger, Jr. (Faye) of Stafford, VA , and Elyse Gates (Jeffery) of Choctaw, OK; seven grandchildren Tamara Sanchez (Jose'), Douglas & Scott Olger, Connor & Chandler Gates and Vincent & Valerie Olger; and two great- grandchildren Michael & Jose' Sanchez Jr. Reese is also survived by his sister Joyce Olger Fernholz (Herbert); sister-in-law Lorraine Olger, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother James E. Olger and sister Marjorie Olger Case. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Reese E. Olger are invited to attend a memorial celebration on Friday, August 28, 2009 at Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Rd, Lansing, Michigan, at 4:00 p.m. A time of meeting the family will begin at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the The Smile Train, 41 Madison Ave., 28th Floor, New York, NY 10010 or Young Men in Harmony, c/o Barbershop Harmony Society, 110 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37203 in memory of Reese. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing.

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Published by Lansing State Journal on Aug. 27, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Reese Olger

5 Entries

Pete Hasbrook

August 29, 2009

To Reese Jr., and Mrs. Olger and the family -

I often recall how your Dad welcomed me and our ELHS quartet into The Capital City Chordsmen. I remember him looking after us in rehearsals, and especially including us in Afterglows for pizza and more singing. I've sung barbershop ever since, I rejoined the Society 13 years ago in Houston, and I'm proud to consider myself one of Reese's Young Men In Harmony successes. Your dad was a great inspiration to us, and I'm happy that I can pay it forward here in Houston as a member of the Tidelanders.

Pete
The Minor Chords (ELHS '81)

RICHARD W. WERT

August 27, 2009

Dear Mrs. Olger & Family:

On behalf of my mother Joan M. Wert and myself, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

From boyhood into manhood, over many years I had the pleasure to take the full measure of the wonderful human being who was Reese Olger. As a wheelchair user with Cerebral Palsy who often has felt unwelcome in society, I always felt welcome when my late father took me to get a haircut from Reese. It didn't matter if I was in my chair or his, Reese was always ready to cut my hair. Along with the haircut, I could often count on a funny story or joke--and sometimes even a doughnut--but I always left after words of encouragement from Reese. Then there were his many years of barbershop quartet singing that he loved so much--his beautiful voice mirrored a beautiful soul.

August 27, 2009

To all the Olger family, Fresh out of Barber College in the mid seventies Reese was good enough to give me my first barbering job at his shop Kings Den in E. Lansing. His love for Family, Capital City Chordsman, and Barbering were obvious. How fortunate I was to have known Reese. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Richard Snyder

August 27, 2009

I'm so sad to hear of Reese passing. I worked with Reese at Patrician Hair Fashion in the early eighties. It was my first job in hairstyling and Reese was the barber there. He was so kind. I've often thought of him over the years. Some people you come across and they make an impression on you and they have no idea that they did, he was one of them.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Olger family

God bless.

Sue Hargrove

William Kocher

August 27, 2009

To the Olger Family....I was saddened to hear of Reese's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.

William Kocher
Former Member of Capital City Chordsman

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