Obit: Oestreich, Michael Edwin (1955 – 1973)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Oestreich, Redig, Beaver, Nelson, Ruhbusch, Swart

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 16 Aug 1973

Oestreich, Michael Edwin (2 JAN 1955 – 12 AUG 1973)

Michael Edwin Oestreich, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Oestreich, Loyal (Clark Co., Wis.), drowned Sunday afternoon in Lake Arbutus, near Hatfield.

The drowning occurred about 4:30 p.m. and the body was recovered inn 20 feet of water at 6:30 p.m. by a Black River area rescue squad.

Carl and Jackson County authorities learned that Oestreich disappeared as he and a companion, Gary Beaver of Neillsville, were returning to shore after swimming toward a buoy at the outer limits of the beach. Neither Beaver nor two other companions on shore, Russell Nelson, 18, of Loyal, and Orin Redig, 18, of Spencer, were eye witnesses to the accident, according to authorities. The search began as soon as the Beaver youth reached shore and became aware that Oestreich was missing.

Funeral services for Michael Oestreich were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer. The Rev. William H. Ruhbusch, pastor, officiated, and burial was made in the parish cemetery. The Rux Funeral Home, Spencer, was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Oestreich was born January 2, 1955, in Marshfield, and received his education in the Loyal grade and high schools. He graduated in 1973 from Loyal High School, where he had been active in Wrestling. Since graduation he had been employed at Dick Cemetery Contracting, Route 1, Loyal.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Spencer.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Oestriech, Route 1, Loyal; three brothers, Gary Oestreich, R. 2, Loyal, and David and Greg Oestreich, both at home; two sisters, Mrs. Roger (Sue) Swart, , Marshfield, and Miss Debbie Oestreich, at home; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Oestreich, R. 1, Loyal; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. ???, (names not listed), and paternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Alvina Oestreich, Spencer.