February 12, 1930 – November 21, 2014
Long-time Oakdale resident and sports enthusiast Orville Guenther peacefully left this world on Friday, November 21, at the age of 84.
He was born in Crofton, NE, and moved to Oakdale, CA, with his family when he was just ten years old. He played and coached sports throughout his life and was a huge fan. His favorite memories were watching and playing games with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He worked for the postal service upon returning from his tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan, where he was an Army Veteran of the Korean War. He retired from the postal service in 1984, after thirty years. He continued working at Hunt Wesson as a supervisor for another ten years until his final retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents Conrad and Ruth Guenther, his mother-in-law Donnie Dickens, his father-in-law Earl Owens, his two brothers Bob and Marion Guenther, his brother-in-law Jerry Owens, his double-cousin Duane and his wife Fran Guenther, and his niece and nephew Gary Guenther and Gayle Richards.
He leaves behind his beautiful wife of sixty-four years, Delois (Owens) Guenther, his seven children and their spouses Susan and (Ruben) Castaneda, Michael and (Katie) Guenther, Debbie Guenther, Jim and (Janice) Guenther, Robin and (Rhonda Forsberg) Guenther, Cathy Benjamin and Becky Guenther. He also leaves his nine grandchildren and their spouses Carie and (Jason) Pelucca, Michelle and (Dave) DeCoito, Carlos Castaneda, Steven Guenther, Leah Hasmorh, Whitney Guenther, Nikki Scruggs and (Walter Ramirez), Scotty Scruggs, and Chelsea Guenther. He was also blessed with
six great-grandchildren, Cole and Tess Pelucca, Breanna and Vivian DeCoito, and Kayla and Kourtney Castaneda.
Although he was a humble man, some of his most memorable moments were coaching his children and local-area kids, instilling a competitive drive and winning nature, and valuing people's goodness and self-worth. He was a father figure to many people. In the years that he coached city league teams, he still holds the record for most wins. He coached all seven children at some point in their lives, and the wisdom and expertise that he possessed were a huge part of who he was, and it remains with his children today. One of his greatest moments was coaching his girls to a “Western World Regional Softball Championship.”
Orville was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW. Throughout his years Orville was also a member of the Oakdale High School Sports Boosters, Oakdale Dinner Club and was a member of the class of '47 reunion committee, where he kept in touch with the members of his Swedes Club from his high school days.
He will be remembered by many and leaves behind a legacy of love and friendship that will live in our hearts forever.
A rosary service will be held at Oakdale Memorial Chapel on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 7:00 PM. Viewing will be from 4:00-7:00. The memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on the corner of Oak and Olive St. Oakdale on Monday, Dec.1, at 10:00 AM. Final burial will be held at the Oakdale Citizens Cemetery following the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oakdale High School Sports Boosters.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Nov. 26, 2014
