Reed M. Oestreich

Reed M. Oestreich, 84, of Oak Harbor, OH passed into eternal life on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo, OH.  He was born on October 26, 1937 in rural Graytown, OH to Melvin “Pete” and Lillian (Miller) Oestreich.  In 1962 he married Ruth Reeder, the love of his life, and she survives.

Reed graduated from Oak Harbor High School and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University.  He was an educator at Woodville Schools in Woodville, OH and later Woodmore Schools in Elmore, OH for 30 years.  He also taught 5 years at Bowling Green State University, and as a substitute teacher for 5 years in the Benton-Carroll-Salem school system.  He enjoyed teaching all 40 years!

Reed had many joys in his life.  He loved his Holstein dairy herd.  This joy paid for his total college education.  Later he loved his registered dairy goat herd.  He also enjoyed singing in the Terra Community College choir.  Another hobby was collecting German Hummel figurines.  Early in his life he enjoyed his 3 ½ acre arboretum and yard.  Also was his love for writing in which he had published his 2 books titled “ Christmas: When and Why ” and “ Adolphus Kraemer – A Man of Vision ”.  He will be remembered for his love and his relationship with students, in grades 4, 5, and 6 and those in other grades.  He loved Christmas with 30 inside decorated trees, many creches and thousands of ornaments.  He and Ruth shared these with thousands of visitors.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth, son, Brian, and his wife Jan, daughter, Lisa, grandsons, Benjamin, Joseph and Jesse; sister-in-law, Sue Oestreich and many relatives.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Nelson.

Reed was a member of Grace Lutheran Church near Elmore.  The church is located on SR 51, ½ mile north of Elmore.  Memorial services will be held there at a later date and announced once determined.  In lieu of flowers, Reed requested memorials be made to repair the church bell system at Grace Lutheran, Elmore that was damaged by lightning.  Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Oak Harbor is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com .