Wilbur Marshall Osterloh

Wilbur Marshall Osterloh, age 86, of La Grande, died January 14, 2005 after a bout with cancer. Wilbur was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, December 7, 1918 to WHC and Hannah Osterloh. In 1934, he moved with his family to Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Washington High School in 1936.

He attended Oregon State University and the University of Oregon where he graduated in 1942 with a degree in business.

Wilbur married Erros Penland of Albany Oregon March 21, 1942 and spent the next four years in the U.S. Army. He received his officers training at For Benning, Georgia. His active duty during World War II was in the Pacific arena and in Japan with the army of occupation in the Americal Division. After three years of service during the war, he returned to Eugene where Erros was teaching high school. He then attended graduate school at the University of Oregon. He received a work study scholarship to New York University and earned his Masters Degree in Business. Wilbur spent two years with his wife in the New York/New Jersy area where his first son, Walter was born in 1947.

Wilbur and his family returned to Oregon in 1948 where he went to work for JC Penney Company in Roseburg. His second son, Ronald was born there in 1949. He worked for the Penney Company in Baker where his third son Russell was born. In 1955 he was transferred to the Portland store. The family moved back to Eastern Oregon in 1956 where his fourth son Douglas was born in 1956. Wilbur taught business classes at Union High School for several years. He served as Union County School Superintendent from 1959 through 1962 and the family moved to La Grande in 1960. Wilbur began teaching at Eastern Oregon College in 1962, also serving as registrar and other administrative positions until retiring in 1980.

Wilbur retired from the Army with rank of Captain after more than twenty years in the Oregon National Guard.

During his twenty four years of retirement, Wilbur and Erros spent much of those years traveling by trailer within the United States as well as traveling overseas via military transportation. They visited England, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska during their travels.

Wilbur's hobbies and passions were singing, playing handball, ine making and teaching tumbling and gymnastics to children in Baker and Union Counties. He sang for many years with the Blue Mountain Barbershoppers and in the church choir.

Wilbur was a member of the Grande Ronde Wheelers Good Sam Club. He was a member of the Rotary Club in La Grande for 42 years, serving twice as president and seventeen years as treasurer. He was also Past Master of the North Powder Masonic Lodge.

Wilbur is survived by his wife, Erros of La Grande, Oregon; his sons, Walter and Russell of La Grande, Oregon, Ronald of Enterprise, Oregon, Douglas of Boring, Oregon, thirteen grandchildren and one great grandson.

A funeral was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 17, 2005 at the First Christian Church in La Grande under the direction of Rev. Mark Schlessman. The funeral was followed by an open house luncheon and celebration of life to share stories with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Caner Society, 0330 SW Curry, Portland, Oregon 97201. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.