| Sources |
- [S142] Newspaper Article, Suburbanite Economist, 8 Dec 1971.
John D. Oudsteyn birth announcement
- [S142] Newspaper Article, Suburbanite Economist, 31 May 1972.
Reunion planned for 6th Marine division
The Sixth Marine Division, a fighting unit formed during World War II in Guadalcanal, will hold its second reunion in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept. 8 to 9.
John Oudsteyn, 10735 S. Oxford ave., Chicago Ridge, a member of that division, is seeking his Marine "buddies" so that they might attend the reunion. He related that he was the only Chicago area division member who attended last year's reunion. Oudsteyn may be contacted after 6 p.m. at 424-2231.
Members of the "striking sixth," as it was dubbed, were veterans of the Raider battalion and saw combat in the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Guam. The division was disbanded in North China in 1946.
- [S142] Newspaper Article, Chicago Tribune, 26 Nov 1982.
...In Chicago Ridge, the drive to outfit all 25 full-time officers with safety vests didn't take long. John and Harriet Oudsteyn started and finished the drive by pledging to buy all 25 vests at an estimated cost of $5,000.
Since Then, several organizations and businesses have pledged to purchase 12 more vests for the 21 part-time officers.
"We just wanted to protect the guys." said Harriet Oudsteyn. "They all feel like part of the family."
For 16 years, Harriet Oudsteyn has been secretary to the Chicago Ridge police chief. John Oudsteyn helped establish the village fire department, and their son John Jr., as Chicago Ridge patrolman, will be wearing one of the vests.
"We're not rich, but after a bank error (concerning some taxes), we realized a donation of this type could partially be a tax write-off we could use." John Oudsteyn said, "I would hope what we are doing would inspire people to get vests for the rest of the part-timers and police in other areas."
The gratitude was a surprise, Harriet Oudsteyn said. "I just don't know how many times I've been kissed down at the station, people were so thankful."
Suburbs putting safety first in buying bulletproof vests
- [S112] Census, Illinois, Cook County, 31-WD Chicago, 6233 San Garown, Series: T625 Roll: 348 Page: 277, 6 Jan 1920.
- [S142] Newspaper Article, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan 2009.
John D. Oudsteyn, 89, beloved husband of the late Harriett L., nee Gantz; devoted father of Harriett Lynn (Michael) Welch and John Jr. (Nancy); loving grandfather of John (Jennifer), Gina
(Thomas) Kenny and Brian; and great-grandfather of Christopher Kenny; fond brother of Ruth Sorgenfry. WWII Marine Corp. Veteran. Lifetime member and past commander of VFW Post 5220. Retired Assistant Chicago Ridge Fire Chief. Founding Member of the Chicago Ridge Fireman Association. Resting at the Schmaedeke Funeral Home, 10701 S. Harlem Ave., Worth, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2009. Visitation Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery, for info 708-488-6000
- [S142] Newspaper Article, Southtown Star, 20 Jan 2009.
Business owner, volunteer fire official dies
January 20, 2009
BY WILLIAM LEE, Staff writer
John D. Oudsteyn, a former Chicago Ridge fire official who helped start the village's volunteer fire department in the 1950s, died suddenly Sunday at his home. He was 89.
Mr. Oudsteyn and his wife, Harriet, moved to Chicago Ridge about 1950, when the village had about 600 residents. For 14 years, Mr. Oudsteyn answered fire calls from his home, racing to a large black telephone hanging from his kitchen wall. Mr. Oudsteyn was named assistant fire chief in 1974.
His wife also was dedicated to public safety, working for the Chicago Ridge Police Department for 35 years and serving as secretary under four police chiefs.
In addition to his work with the fire department, Mr. Oudsteyn was self-employed for many years, installing and repairing wells.
He and several partners purchased All Electric, which sold and serviced pumps and still exists at the same site, 67th Street and Ashland Avenue in Chicago. They opened a second business, Accurate Electric, which remains on 111th Street in Worth.
Mr. Oudsteyn was proud of his service during World War II, for which he received a Purple Heart medal. He fought the Japanese at Okinawa from April through June in 1945. A member of the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines, 6th Marine Division, he also participated in the occupation of China during November 1946.
Born Oct. 24, 1919, in Chicago, Mr. Oudsteyn grew up during the Great Depression, which his family said made him frugal.
"Growing up, my cousins and I were always somewhat both amazed and amused by the shelves in the basement filled with enough food and supplies that it resembled a store," SouthtownStar correspondent Gina Kenny said of her grandfather.
"He faced a lot of challenges during his life - financial as well as physical. He never quit trying," his daughter, Harriet Lynn Welch, said. "Every challenge life threw at him, he kept going."
Mr. Oudsteyn met his wife at a Halloween party, and they were married on Jan. 14, 1939. They were married for 67 years before her death in April 2006.
The couple's love and devotion to each other always was an inspiration to their family and friends. They traveled extensively in the United States, usually in a motor home, and around the world, including China and Australia.
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Oudsteyn is survived by a son, John; a sister, Ruth Sorgenfry; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Schmaedeke Funeral Home, 10701 Harlem Ave., Worth. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery in Worth.
William Lee can be reached at wlee@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-6747.
- [S1] U. S. Social Security Death Index, 318-18-5587.
Issued in Illinois, residing in Chicago Ridge, Cook County, Illinois
- [S142] Newspaper Article, Southtown Economist, Chicago, Illinois, 29 Jan 1939.
Making Home with Father of Bride
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Oudsteyn are making their home temporarily with the bride's father, Herman J. Gantz. Rev. Lloyd F. Hoover read the services for the couple in the Christ Methodist church J a n u a ry 14. The bride, nee Harriett Gaptz, was in white lace and carried a bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
A r m e n ia Volpe, the bride's attendant, was in aquamarine chiffon and wore a corsage of tearoses. Weston Sturgill was the best man. The reception was held in the Coun-try Club hotel, 6930 South Shore Dr. The bride is a graduate of Englewood high school and the groom received his schooling in Michigan. Both bride and groom were graduated from Morgan Park high school, and Mr. Wyant continued his studies in Purdue university.
|
Search | Advanced Search
1919 - 2009 (89 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps