Dwight Harry Oestreicher
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dwight Harry Oestreicher, 86, of Oswego, Ill., formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at 8:35 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 at his residence.
Dwight had worked for the Illinois Central Railroad from 1946 to 1958 and at Caterpillar Tractor from 1958 to 1986 retiring from 27 years of service. He had been a resident of Du Quoin for 35 years and had lived in Oswego since 1960. Dwight was a US Army veteran of W.W. II. He served as a PFC with the 1st Army, 106th. Infantry in England, France, Belgium and Germany. He was wounded in the face by shrapnel while in Belgium and received the purple heart medal.
One of our best memories of Dad is the story he told us of meeting our mother. She was 13 and he was 16. When she came walking toward him carrying a sibling in her arms, he knew she was the one for him. Which she was for 63 years. And now they're together again.
He was born Feb. 28, 1924 at Du Quoin, Ill., the son of Adolph Joseph and Dora Della (Clark) Oestreicher.
Dwight married Wilma Elizabeth Cook on March 30, 1944 at Pinckneyville, Ill. and she preceded him in death on June 13, 2007.
He is survived by three daughters- Kay Dittmann of Kalispell, Mont., Vicky Tyree and husband Scott of Brooksville, Fla. and Wendy Armstrong of Aurora, Ill., son- Steve Oestreicher of Elkton, Pa., seven grandchildren- Jack Dittmann and wife Jackie of Kalispell, Mont., Kurt Dittmann and wife Becca of LeGrande, Ore., Michael Armstrong of Aurora, Ill., Sarah Coronilla and husband Gus of Hinckley, Ill., Matthew Oestreicher and wife Hillary of New York, New York, Mark Oestreicher and wife Clare of West Chester, Pa. and Adam Oestreicher of New York, New York, five great grandchildren- Jake Dittmann and Janey Dittmann both of Kalispell, Mont., Amaya Coronilla of Hinckley, Ill., Skeen Dittmann and Mila Dittmann both of LeGrande, Ore., many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three brothers- Raymond, Russel and Robert Oestreicher and two sisters- Anna Cook and Mary Combs, two sons-in-law- Neale Christiansen and Charley Armstrong.
Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with the family conducting the service.
Friends called from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial wase in the Old Du Quoin Cemetery at Du Quoin.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin VFW and American Legion.
Friends may make memorials to the Old Du Quoin Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.