James Grover Oestreicher

James Grover 'Ace' Oestreicher was born January 31, 1913, at Princeton, Kansas. He was the son of Al and Agnes (Levelle) Oestreicher. He grew up in Princeton and later lived in Kansas City, and Richland, Washington. In 1950, he returned to the Princeton-Richmond area, where he made his home until his death Thursday, July 31, 2003, at the age of ninety years. James graduated from Princeton High School. He was a machinist and longtime farmer. He worked at the Lake City Plant in Kansas City and, during World War II, was transferred by the government to the Atomic Energy Commission in Handford, Washington. After the war, he received a certificate from the Secretary of Defense for aiding in making the first atomic bomb. In 1950, he began farming on his farm outside of Richmond. He also worked at Delco Battery in Olathe, retiring in 1964. He was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church, and the old Lions Club, both of Richmond. Ace was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an expert trap shooter, having traveled to Nationals in Seattle, Washington, and Elliott's Trap shoot in Kansas City, holding several records. In 1936, Ace was united in marriage with Catherine L. Haberkorn in Olathe, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 8, 1949. In 1951, Ace was united in marriage with Margarette H. Dye at Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on December 12, 2002. He is also preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his son, Jim Oestreicher of Princeton, Kansas; daughter, Sandra Austin of Belton, Missouri; stepson, William White of Gardner, Kansas; three sisters, Ellen Hickman of Ottawa, Kansas, Barbara Issaeff of Cresskill, New Jersey, Georgie Berry of Grandview, Missouri; ten grandchildren; and, sixteen great-grandchildren. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from St. Therese Catholic Church, Richmond 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2003. OFFICIATING CLERGY: IN STATE: Mr. Oestreicher will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 11 a.m. Monday to the service hour, where a Rosary will be said 6:30 p.m. Monday, followed by a family visitation at 7:00 p.m. CEMETERY: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to St. Therese Catholic Church of Richmond, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through www.dengelmortuary.com.