Myrtle Oefinger

OEFINGER
Myrtle Alice Oefinger was born in San Antonio, TX on April 7, 1917 and went to be with her beloved Lord on July 6, 2012 at the age of 95.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Donald Oefinger, Sr., her son Dr. Roy Donald Oefinger, Jr., parents Roy and Mamie Heath, brother, Willard Heath and wife Lucille, sister Nell Givens and husband Jimmy ,sister, Beulah Heath, inlaws Roy & Clara Oefinger and their son Wallace Oefinger and son-in-law, Bob Bickle. She is survived by her daughters, Janet Bickle, of South Carolina , Sherry Dalmolin of San Antonio and her loving companion Jim Hicks, daughter-in-law, Peg Oefinger of San Antonio, grandchildren, Steve Bickle and wife Renee of CA., Denise Calloway and husband Frank of SC, Chris Bickle and wife Melissa of OR., Dr. Jon Oefinger and wife Amy of San Antonio, Matt Oefinger and wife Amy of Sherman, TX, Stacey Dalmolin of Austin, TX, Joey Dalmolin of San Antonio, Michael Dalmolin and wife, Sarah, of San Antonio, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. Myrtle was a devoted mother and grandmother who raised three children on her own following the sudden, untimely death of her husband when he was 34. She was born and lived her entire life in San Antonio where she grew up in the Prospect Hill District, that she always spoke of with fond memories. She attended Prospect Hill Methodist Church , then St. John's Methodist Church before becoming a Lifetime Steward of University United Methodist Church. She was a strong Christian woman and church and family were always the core that held her together, in good and difficult times. She loved and cared about everyone and treated everyone with kindness, seeking to know them and drawing out the best in them. She loved the simple things in life and enjoyed music, family gatherings, being in the country, and going for rides, or, as we called them, "adventures", never being sure where we would end up. She was a humble woman, and in speaking to her, you would never have known of her many career accomplishments. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and attended Westmoreland College. She was an honorary graduate of Trinity University. She worked at Frost Bank prior to moving to the Express News to begin a career there, advancing to the position of Woman's Editor in 1954, a position she held for over 22 years before retiring in 1980. She was a pioneer, in her time. Readers remember many of her stories. One was "Mother of the Groom", written when her son married. Her knack for gently pulling heartstrings was emphasized. Others remember the story of her breast cancer surgery written in 1977. It was a story she felt had to be told. But the story she liked best was headlined "What Happened to Your Wedding Gown?" She wrote such celebrities as Ann Landers, Lady Bird Johnson, and Lucille Ball asking that question and the response was nearly 100%. Like all writers, she received some criticism. A few even accused her of practicing law without a license for the article she wrote "If Your Husband Died Today", where she tried to help wives over some of the rough spots she faced as a widow and strongly suggested having a will. Myrtle received numerous honors and awards and she was always grateful for the people that she met and the opportunities that were afforded to her. She served as president of Women in Communications, was a member of Zonta Club International, National Association of Female Executives, Council of Presidents, San Antonio Symphony League, San Antonio Art League, Order of the Eastern Star, Bright Shawl, and Salvation Army Auxilary. She was a life member and past president of the Women's Society of Christian Service and honorary member of Coppini Academy of Fine Arts. Until her death, she was a Contributor to the South Texas Newsletter. The family would like to thank Dr. Carlos E. Alvarez and his staff, Virginia Gonzalez-Arroya and her daughters, and Sarah Dalmolin for their devoted love and care over the past several years. Additionally, they would like to thank the staff at Morningside Manor, Arden Courts and New Century Hospice for their special care during recent months. Visitation will be Monday, July 9, 2012, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio. Services will be Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 1:00 p.m. at University United Methodist Church, 5084 De Zavala, with burial following at Sunset. To leave expressions of sympathy for the family, go to www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com.