David A. Oelrich

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of David A. Oelrich, 61, of Canyonville, Oregon. He left us too soon on Friday, December 22, 2006. He was born on February 4, 1945 at Camp Springs, Maryland. He was raised in Rhinelander, WI and graduated high school from there in 1963.

David joined the Rhinelander Police Department in 1968 and later came west to Oregon in 1970. He continued his law enforcement career at Winston Police Department. In 1974 he joined the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, was promoted to Sgt., joined the Sheriff's Posse and was their liaison officer. He then left DCSO to join the Myrtle Creek Police Department as a Sgt., he was appointed Chief of Police in 1990. He retired March 2000 due to health reasons.

Dave was enjoying his retirement, doing all the many things that he loved to do. He and his wife, Carole, enjoyed a very active time being able to focus on enjoying all their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved his dogs and horses, Cowboy Action Shooting, hunting and fishing, dancing, going to pow-wows, leather and gunsmithing and woodwork, traveling and making new friends wherever he went. He loved people and was there for everyone. Everyone who knew Dave knew of his love of "The Old West" and its way of life. He always said that he had been born 150 years too late.

Dave is survived by his devoted wife, Carole, 61, his soul mate of 28 years; his father, Roy Oelrich, 90, Rhinelander, WI; Aunt, Rena Cox, 89, and family of Union, OR; his four siblings and their spouses, Della Jean Hartwige, Winnipeg; Vivian Counter, Melvin Oelrich, Lola Morken all of Rhinelander, WI. He leaves behind seven children, Bryan Oelrich, Roseburg; Laurie Martinez, Myrtle Creek; Shawn Davin, Three Lakes, WI; Joy Johnson, Dunville, Ontario, Canada; Angel Wiest, Tri-City; Dawn Kennington, Fresno, CA; Doug Wiest, Myrtle Creek. 17 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vada Oelrich, Rhinelander, WI.

Memorial Services will be held in his honor on Saturday, December 30th at 2pm at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in the Conference Hall. Dave's wife, Carole, requests that in lieu of flowers that you please perform an act of kindness for someone in memory of Dave. Mountain View Memorial Chapel at Myrtle Creek is assisting the family.