Howard M. "Sonny" Oesterling Sr.

Howard M. 'Sonny' Oesterling Sr.
Howard M. "Sonny" Oesterling Sr., 94, of Duncannon, Perry County, formerly of Sebring, Fla., and Marysville, Perry County, died Oct. 6.
Born in Summit Township, he was one of 11 children born to James A. and Elizabeth Oesterling.
In 1945, he and his family moved to Marysville, where he was a landscape contractor and tree surgeon before his retirement.
Mr. Oesterling had always been active in community activities and service organizations wherever he lived. Since he had an older sister who lost her sight at an early age, he was dedicated to the work of the Lions Club in its endeavors to help the blind. He held a life membership in Lions International and was an international counselor for eight years.
He also was district governor of District 14-T and past president of the Marysville Lions Club. He founded the George Nissley Memorial Eye Bank sub-station and was the local supervisor of the eye bank activities. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for dedicated service to his fellowman.
Also was involved with the Boy Scouts, he organized Scout Troop 12 in Butler and Cub Scout Pack 56 in Marysville and was a scoutmaster for four years and a cub master for 11 years.
Mr. Oesterling was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Marysville, where he had served on the church council, served as Sunday school superintendent and had taught the Men's Bible Class. He formerly belonged to the Sebring Presbyterian Church in Florida.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Rachel Otto Oesterling.
Surviving are three sons, Howard M. Oesterling Jr. and his wife, Rosezelma, of Marysville, Jeffrey P. Oesterling and his wife, Catherine, of Inkom, Idaho, and C. Vance Oesterling of California; two daughters, Linda L. and her husband, Dr. Gerald Bowers, of Salem, Ore., and Michal A. and her husband, David Wert, of Newburg, Ore.; and a sister, Margaret Neyman, of Butler. He also is survived by 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
OESTERLING - Friends of Howard M. "Sonny" Oesterling Sr., who died Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at Zion Lutheran Church, Marysville. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the church. Private burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by the MICHAEL J. SHALANIS FUNERAL HOME, Marysvllle.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank, Lehigh Valley Hospital, P.O. Box 7017. Allentown, PA 18105; or to Zion Lutheran Church, 303 Front St., Marysville, PA 17053.