Oren E Stengel

Oren Eugene Stengel, 90, of Mt. Morris, died February 25 at Pinecrest Manor in Mt. Morris. He was born June 6, 1924, at FHN (then, Freeport Memorial Hospital) in Freeport, Illinois, the third child and only son of Edward and Edna (Paul) Stengel. He was a lifelong resident of Mt. Morris Township, attended Coon Creek (country) school northwest of town and graduated from Mt. Morris High School in 1942. Farming was his life for many years. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Mt. Morris, worked and lived there with his family until 1970, when they moved into town. He joined Future Farmers of America in high school, earned a state farmer award, and served as president his senior year. After high school, Oren was active in Rural Youth, and upon his death was a 50+ year member of the Ogle County Farm Bureau. September 13, 1952, he married Mary Louise (Bradford) in Monmouth, Illinois. They were married almost 55 years, until her death in 2007. Oren worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Mt. Morris from 1968 until retirement in 1995, with jobs ranging from clerk to letter carrier to custodian. For many years he was the "part-time flexi" letter carrier, which required him to memorize all of the town routes and where everyone in town lived, in order to substitute on any of the routes. Although challenging, he enjoyed being outdoors, greeting people throughout Mt. Morris, and is still remembered fondly by many as "my mailman." He was a lifetime member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris, and served on the congregational council and in the men's club. He was shy, a better "giver" than "receiver," and had a streak of German stubbornness softened by a quick wit. He will be remembered for his kindness and humor. He is survived by two daughters, Sally (Jeff) Carlson of Spencer, Indiana, and Sandra Stengel of Mt. Morris. A sister-in-law, Virginia Bradford, of Urbana, Illinois. He took delight in his only grandson, Elijah Carlson, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and - nephews, as well as cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers- and sister-in-law; and three sisters, Grace Young, Alma Derby and Lola Freimuth. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, March 1, at Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL. There will be a private burial at West Grove Cemetery outside Forreston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Morris, or the Good Samaritan Fund of Pinecrest Community.