Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
John Oesch Obituary
Born in Pigeon on Aug. 12, 1929, he was the son of the late John and Mabel O. (Eichler) Oesch and graduated as Valedictorian in 1947 from Pigeon High School. On Oct. 14, 1950, he was united in marriage to Elna M. Schulze at St. John's Lutheran Church, Berne.
Immediately out of high school, Pinky went to work for J.E. Paul Motor Sales and worked as parts manager for many years. In the early 1950s, he operated the Sinclair gas station in Pigeon along with his father, when he established the Oesch Shoe Store in 1961, and owned and operated it until 1979. From 1979 to 1992 he worked at McCormick Motors in Pigeon.
In his younger years, he coached little league and he was also instrumental with the establishment of the Pigeon area Hockey League in the late 50s. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and especially enjoyed the family Canadian fishing trips. He also built his own home.
He was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Berne, where he had been church treasurer as well as trustee.
In addition to his wife, Elna, to whom he had been married for 57 years, he is survived by six children, Timothy (Juanita) Oesch of Lapeer, Cindy (Mark) Dean of Cape Coral, Fla., Becky (Mark) Schmiedeknecht of Vacaville, Calif., Thomas Oesch of West Branch, Michael (Becky) Oesch of Arlington, Wash., and Patricia (Andy) Cole of St. Louis; nine grandchildren, Philip Dean, Michael Dean, Alex Schmiedeknecht, Becky Oesch, Matt Oesch, Benjamin Oesch, Jacob Oesch, Cara Cole, and Tricia Cole; a sister, Jean (Charles) Hawkins of Dearborn Heights; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a baby daughter, Donna; and sister, Shirley Schulze. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at St. John's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. James A. Gorsegner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon and at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Mark Castle
December 8, 2007
To the family members of "Pinky": I can remember getting my first pair of baseball shoes from Pinky! It was an exciting time for me! My wife, Eileen & I send our sympathies to the Oesch family. Especially to Mark, Cindy, & Tim whom I have known from grade school & junior high. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
Ann and Don Herford
December 6, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
LINDA WOLFRAM
December 6, 2007
DEAR ELNA MAE AND FAMILY,
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. PINKY WILL BE MISSED AND WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES.
RON WOLFRAM FAMILY
Annette Renn
December 4, 2007
Dear Elna Mae & Family,
I have missed Pinky lately. He always had a cheery Hello when I would see him in the flower shop and around town.
The little man on the unicycle who used to ride on the wire and the chicken that laid golden eggs in the shoe store will always be great memories from my childhood.
I thank you for them.
Annette (Weidman) Renn
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Gahl Mitin
December 3, 2007
Dear Elna and Family,
It is with a sad heart that we send our sympathies. Pinky was my Dad's best friend. He visited my Dad every week sharing Church news, sporting events and his favorite stories about his children and grandchildren until my Dad's passing. He was the best example of a loyal friend and our family will always be grateful.
We pray for God's blessing for all of you.
The family of Don Otto
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
7356 W Michigan Ave PO Box 47, Pigeon, MI 48755
Make a Donation
in John Oesch's name
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Oesch's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
