By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
9 Comments
  • Visitation

    Memorial Visitation

    Saturday, November 13, 2021

    10:00 am to 2:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Graveside Service and Interment

    Immediately following visitation

    St. Joseph Cemetery, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Jean M. Oestringer, 83, of Highland, IL, passed away Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at her son’s home, surrounded by her family.

    She was born June 22, 1938 to Lester “Errett” and Ida Angeline (nee Abert) Tabor, in Highland, IL.  On June 23, 1956, she married Donald M. Oestringer at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL.

    Jean was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, the Daughter’s of the American Revolution, Chairman of the Board for the River Bluffs Girl Scout Council, an officer for the Marine Sportsman’s Club, and Secretary of the Racoon Ramblers Camping Club.

    Jean loved being a mom, grandma and great-grandma.  Family came first.  Jean wasn’t just a mom to her family, she was a mom to everyone.  She never met a stranger. As a superior seamstress, she made quilts for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and also made formal dresses. She enjoyed painting, basket-weaving, counted cross-stitch, and crafts. An excellent cook, her Thanksgiving dressing was at a professional level, and loved by her family.  She loved camping, listening for the call of the loons, and loved traveling to Northern Minnesota.  Her love of nature was passed on to her children.

    She is survived by her husband, Donald Oestringer, Highland, IL; children, David (Clare) Oestringer, Louisville, KY, Sandra Kibble, Highland, IL, Laurie (Dave) Seefeldt, Highland, IL, Brenda (Mike) Bardill, Highland, IL, and Bob (Suzy) Oestringer, New Memphis, IL; grandchildren, Sean (Chanelle) Oestringer, Erin (Jon Tyra) Oestringer, Stephanie (Adam) Hunhoff, Derek (Thoe Truong) Bardill, Jeremy (Brittany) Bardill, Brittany (Eric) Toon, Cameron Oestringer, Kim (Joe) McCario, Jessica (Brian) Daam, Catherine Seefeldt, and Dustin Seefeldt; numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Mary Kay Varel Korte) Tabor; many nieces, and nephews.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, Errett and Ida Tabor; sister-in-law, Barbara “Bonnie” Tabor.

    Memorials may be made to Residential Hospice.

    Memorial Visitation: Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Graveside Service and Interment: Immediately following visitation at St. Joseph Cemetery, Highland, IL.

    Clergy:  Fr. Piotr Kosk

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

9 Condolences
 
  1. Mary beth Broughton / November 3, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Oh my. I’m so sorry to hear this makes me very sad. She was such a wonderful friend. I have wonderful memories and I will always cherish them. My thoughts prayers and love hugs coming to the family my deepest sympathy to the family. Cherish your memories she was the best a beautiful person inside and outside.

  2. June Yann / November 3, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    Such a fine lady, loved by all. Prayers to the Family and loved ones at this difficult time. She will be greatly missed, my good friend for such a long time ❤️🙏🏻❤️May the Lord wrap his loving arms around you Jean.

  3. Janet Nicolaides / November 4, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    I had Compustitch Embroidery and thats how I met Jean. I loved when she came in to the shop always to get a tag made for one of the many quilts she made. i loved hearing her talk about her family and her camping trips. All while her husband sat patiently in the car. She will be missed by many, but we are all blessed to have known her. prayers to the family during this difficult time.

  4. Billie Jean Rinderer / November 5, 2021 at 7:42 am

    So very sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. We have been friends for a very long time starting when she would babysit my girls years ago. She was an awesome caring and loving lady. May God Bless All . . . Sending prayers of comfort, love and hugs to her beautiful family.

    Orville & Billie Rinderer

  5. Karen Gurley / November 5, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Don and family I am so sorry for your loss. Jean and I had a lot of good laughs together and had lots of conversations in order to help solve the worlds problems. Didn’t do very well. We had a lot of fun when we took cardio rehab together.
    Jean was a very special lady. Sorry I can’t be.with you Saturday as I’m out of town.
    May God bless you all. You’ll all be in my prayers.

    Karen Gurley

  6. Elizabeth (Abert) Wharton / November 6, 2021 at 10:44 am

    Jean was a very warm and loving person, and much loved by all of our family.

  7. John Heath / November 6, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    Don, Bob and the rest of the family… I am so sorry to hear your news. I remember Jean and all of you with such fond memories of my years in Highland. Her smile would just light up a room… loved it. John Heath

  8. Dave Holdeman / November 8, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    I’ll never forget the Oestringer hospitality that I enjoyed so many times years ago. Jean was a mom, a friend and someone to listen to and learn from. Don taught me how to use tools, do a tuneup on a car, and many other things. Their care for their family was genuine and I was welcomed into it. What an example they set – an example that is needed so much now.

    Tammy and I will be out of town for an appointment this weekend so we cannot attend – but our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

    Dave Holdeman

  9. Anne Cicero / November 10, 2021 at 9:39 am

    My dear, Jean, oh how I will miss you! I was counting on your motherly hugs for so much longer. I am so grateful for our last campfire – what a fun time with a fun group of friends/family! I treasure all the times spent with you, Don, and family, especially the last hours I spent with you, hugging, talking, and laughing. Oh, how I wish I had recorded that delightful and hearty laugh so I could hear it over and over. When you hugged me, I knew I was loved and deeply – that’s just how you loved, with everything you had. I feel a disconnection from all that was, knowing things have changed and dramatically and for now, forever, until I see you again. May God Bless you and yours. I would say, rest in peace, but we know you are kicking up your heels in Heaven, laughing and creating a jovial, jubilant, raucous party – to everyone’s delight!

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