Mount Prospect farmer dies at 107
The oldest resident at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights - and one of the oldest in the Northwest suburbs - has died.
Alvin Oehlerking was 107 when he passed away on Wednesday. The former 80-year resident of Mount Prospect moved to the Lutheran Home five years ago at the age of 102.
There now remain six residents at the Lutheran Home over the age of 100, including one who is 106. However, an even older centenarian lives in Streamwood. Josephine Ross turned 108 in November.
At Mr. Oehlerking's last birthday in November, Lutheran Home Chief Executive Officer Roger Paulsberg congratulated him on his long and healthy life.
"We will miss Alvin's inspiring participation in community events here at the Lutheran Home," Paulsberg said Thursday.
Mr. Oehlerking was the youngest of eight children, all born on a farm in what is now Des Plaines. He used to describe his childhood to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, telling them how he and his siblings would do their farm chores in the morning, including milking the cows, before hitching a ride on the milk wagon to school.
"When they'd come back home, they'd do more chores," says his grandson, Alan Kehe of Palatine. "It was a full day."
His grandson adds that Mr. Oehlerking grew up in the days before automobiles, and that just to get to church, the family hitched up their buggy.
In his teenage years, Mr. Oehlerking's family moved to a farm located at Mount Prospect and Rand roads, which he eventually farmed with his brother. In 1927, he married into a locally prominent extended farm family, wedding Malinda Busse.
Mr. Oehlerking and his brother sold their farm to developers in the early 1940s and he began working at a Franklin Park factory that made war supplies. He later worked for the wholesaler, John Plain & Co., in Chicago, before retiring in 1970.
After his retirement, Mr. Oehlerking remained active with St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School, helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings. He also taught refresher driving lessons at one of the senior centers in Elk Grove Village.
Family members credited his long life to his hearty German farm stock as well as his active, upbeat lifestyle.
"At his last birthday, he cut his own cake," says Rex Paisley, spokesman for the Lutheran Home. "He always had a smile on his face, and was an inspiration to those around him."
Besides his grandson, Mr. Oehlerking is survived by his daughter, Eileen Kehe of Mount Prospect, three other grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, in 1981, and older daughter, Doris Felbinger.
Visitation will take place from 3-7 p.m. today, before a noon funeral service on Monday, both at Friedrich's Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Road in Mount Prospect.