Harvey Herman Oertwig, 80, of Purdin, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 at North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City, Mo., in the presence of his wife, children and family.
Harvey was born May 30, 1929 in Amherst, Neb., to Gustav and Clara (Berger) Oertwig. Harvey married Gladys Dillard in 1950. On Dec. 26, 1964 he married Billie Jean Moore. Harvey and Billie Jean just celebrated their 45th anniversary.
In March 1941 Harvey moved from Nebraska to a farm west of Purdin, Mo., where he lived most of his life. Harvey graduated from Linneus High School, Linneus, Mo., in 1946.
He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Milan, Mo., and served as an elder.
Harvey was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. His farming career was interrupted in 1952 when he fulfilled his duty to his country. He served in the Marines until 1954 and was honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal.
Harvey devoted his life to farming. In 1972 he became a Dekalb seed distributor and in 1977 joined the management team of Dekalb. As district manager of central-eastern Missouri area, harvey moved to Montgomery City. In 1986 he retired and returned to the farm at Purdin, Mo.
Harvey was a member of the American Legion Clyde Myers Post 274, Browning, Mo. He served as a commander and chaplain. He was also a member of Forty & Eight.
Harvey was an advocate of the American Legion’s Boys State program and was the district coordinator. Harvey often spoke to local schools about respect for the American flag and was known as the “Flag Man” by students. Harvey was a constant presence at Linn County R-1 School, Purdin, Mo., on Veteran’s Day.
Harvey volunteered at the Shafter voting precinct for many years and served with the North Central Missouri Rural Electric Cooperative Caring Coop Neighbors program.
Harvey is survived by his wife; three children, Terrance, Purdin, Mo., Stephen, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Vicki Hartwig, House Springs, Mo.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; an older brother, Delmar Oertwig, Brookfield, Mo.; an older sister, Marge McKenzie, Belleville, Ill.; and younger sister, Joyce Serfass, Kansas City, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an older sister, Arlene McKenzie.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 101 Circle Drive, Milan, MO 63556. Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ruschmeier Funeral Home, Browning, Mo. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Harvey’s memory be made to Peace Lutheran Church or Missouri Boys State, P.O. Box 667, Warrensburg, MO 64093.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ruschmeier Funeral Home, Browning, Mo.
