Russell D. Oehlert

Russell Dean Oehlert, 83, 214 North Lakeview Dr., Clear Lake, formerly Sheffield, Iowa, died Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

A graveside service was held on Friday, June 12, 2015, at the Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield, with Chaplain Ed Bard, Hospice of North Iowa officiating.  Military honors were provided by Harlow Ray Massee, American Legion Post 277, Sheffield.    

Russell was born April 21, 1932, in Sheffield, the son of Jesse Charles and Hazel (Lance) Oehlert.  Following his education he enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War.  After an honorable discharge he worked as a custodian at the Sheffield Chapin Elementary Schools until he retired.

Russ married Ilene Ubben and to this union three sons were born, Brian, Steve and Craig.

Russ loved fishing, dancing, playing cards, reading and camping.  He was known as “Mr. Fix It” and especially enjoyed working on his cars and home repairs.   He never passed up a good war movie.    

Russ married Joann McChesney on Aug. 29, 1998, at the Little Brown Church, in Nashua, Iowa.

Russ is survived by his wife, Joann, Clear Lake; three sons, Brian (Judy) Oehlert, New Hampton, Iowa, Steve Oehlert and his friend, Shelly Renoux, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Craig (Nancy) Oehlert, Cedar Rapids; step-daughter, Cheryl (Rick) Collins, Dumont, Iowa;  four grandchildren, Christopher, Kaitlin, Paige and Ethan Oehlert; step children, Joel (Mary) McChesney, Milwaukee, Wis. and Esther (Terry) Anderson, Ventura, Iowa; step daughter-in-law, Jodie McChesney, Clear Lake; 12 step-grandchildren and 13 step-great-grandchildren, with one on the way;  brother, Delton (Lorraine) Oehlert, Dawson, Minn.; sisters Marlis Ames, Rockwell, Iowa, Judith (David) Dannen, Chapin, Iowa, and Donna (Roger) Faber, Ocala, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.

Russ was preceded in death by his first wife, Ilene; his parents; brother, Harold Oehlert; sisters, Evelyn (Henry) Stoffer and Dorothy (Vernon) Davolt; two stepsons, Rex McChesney and James (Debbie) Haines; and a brother-in-law, Robert Ames .

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.