A memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Ardell W. Oster, Sr., 84, a longtime resident of Long Grove, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove.
Inurnment will take place in St. Ann’s Cemetery with military honors provided by the Donahue American Legion. Visitation will be Monday from 4-7 p.m. at St. Ann’s with a prayer service at 4 p.m. with a prayer service at 4 p.m. Additional visitation will take place on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Mr. Oster died Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ardell William Oster was born on Feb. 24, 1926 in Bellevue, Iowa, a son of Jacob and Francis (Hintgen) Oster. He proudly served our country in the Marine Corps during World War II. After training at Camp Pendleton, Mr. Oster was stationed in Maui. He took part with his fellow Marines in the battle of Iwo Jima. After being honorably discharged in 1946, Ardell operated a Conoco Station at the foot of the I-74 bridge across from the Cottage Inn, a diner owned by his future mother-in-law. It was at this diner that Ardell met a young waitress, Anna Marie Herbert. They were united in marriage on Nov. 26, 1947. Marie passed away on April 22, 2009. They shared over 61 years of marriage together. Ardell and Marie were members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church for many years, with Ardell serving as an usher during masses.
Ardell was involved in the trucking industry for most of his adult life; He went to work for Meadows and retired from USF Holland in 1989. Ardell participated in many Truck Rodeos and Jamboree’s where he brought home numerous trophies for his driving abilities.
Ardell’s greatest joy was his family; he along with Marie never missed a sporting event of their children or grandchildren. Ardell also did quite a bit of coaching when his kids were young. He was a devoted citizen of the town of Long Grove. Ardell spent many hours volunteering within the city. He served on the Long Grove City Council and the Fire Department, where he manned the tanker truck, and after his retirement cut grass and prepared the ball diamonds within town. Ardell and Marie spent many June days volunteering at the Strawberry Festival in Long Grove, and Ardell was honored to serve as Grand Marshall a few years back. Ardell was a quiet and humble man, who refused the praise and attention, but he was always there to lend a helping hand. He also was an avid outdoorsman, passing this trait down to his boys. He taught them the love of fishing and hunting. Ardell also loved to garden where he grew many vegetables and was meticulous on never letting weeds infiltrate it.
Memorials may be made to the family, the American Heart Association or the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
He is survived by his children, spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: DeeDee Eckman, Marina Del Rey, Calif.; Pat (Dan) Jens, Parkview, their children, Chad and Eric Jens, Davenport; Bill (Pat) Oster, Long Grove, their children, Scott (Amber) Oster, their daughter, Ellia and son, Naven Grove City, Ohio; and Kelly (Matt) Livingston and their son, Ben, Davenport; Bob (Diane) Oster, Eldridge, their children, Troy (Tami) Oster, and their son, Drew, Plymouth, Mich. ; Natalie (Kevin) Collins, their son, Kane Collins and daughter, Isla, Tucson, Ariz.; and Nicole (Chad Brandmeyer) Oster, Coralville; Cindy Arp, Eldridge, and her daughter, Alyssa (Jake) Laughlin, and their children, Maria, Dylan and Tyson Laughlin, Eldridge; a brother Eldon Oster, Bellevue, Iowa; a sister, Aljeanne Park, Maquoketa, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Don Morehead, Maquoketa, Iowa; a sister-in-law Holly Shouse, Davenport, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Ardell was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marie; two great-grandchildren, Olivia Collins, and Cole Laughlin; a sister Rosie Morehead, a brother, Jerry Oster and his wife Betty, sisters-in law, Donna Oster and Margaret Morehead and her husband, Kenny, and a brother in law, Grover Park. May they rest in peace. Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Ardell’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
