OSTING

One of the last of the “Greatest Generation,” Eugene O. Osting, 90, of Delphos, passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Edna.

He is survived by three daughters, Susan (Larry) Schwinnen, Jane (Jack) Westrich and Pat (Mike) Manore; a son, Chuck (Beth) Osting; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Marge Lause.

Mr. Osting served in the South Pacific during World War II as a tech sergeant in the U.S. Army 1037th Material Squadron, 13th Air Force. At age 85, this proud WW II veteran and his daughters had the honor of seeing his place in history as he saluted the long-awaited World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

During his lifetime, he enjoyed extensive travels with his wife and family. He was an avid hunter and also enjoyed fishing, carpentry, gardening, painting and “whistling while he worked.” His greatest joy in life, however, was watching his family grow. He was a remarkable husband, dad, grandpa, and “grandpa great.”

If you had to hand pick a person as a role model for your children, you would choose him as that person.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 16, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Melvin Verhoff officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Delphos, where graveside military rites will be performed by the Delphos Veterans Council.

The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Friday, January 15, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake will be held at 7:30 that evening.

Preferred memorials: St. John’s Catholic Church or the Delphos Veterans War Memorial.

SPRINGER

Beverly “Sue” (Free) Springer, 81, of Van Wert, died at 10 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born July 7, 1928, in Monroe, Mich., the daughter of the late Charles “Curt” Free and Bonetha (Pettit) Free. On June 12, 1947, she married Dale L. Springer, who survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Randy (Carol) Springer of Van Wert and Rick (Sarah) Springer of Eaton; a brother, Jack (Marcia) Free of Cortez, Colo.; a sister-in-law, Del Free of Van Wert; four grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four nephews; and four nieces.

A brother, Dean C. Free, also preceded her in death.

Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, January 18, at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, with the Rev. Dr. Tim Burden officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Preferred memorials: Community Health Professionals-Hospice the Caring Way.

Arrangements are being handled by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at agfhc@embarqmail.com.