Bernard John Osterhaus, 89, of Seneca died on Friday, March 4, 1983, at Crestview Manor Nursing Home in Seneca, where he had been a resident since 1979.

He was born on a farm northeast of Seneca, on October 29, 1893 to Henry and Bernadine Rottinghaus Osterhaus. He attended the Rock School. After school, he helped on the family farm until he entered the United States Army on September 19, 1917. He served during World War I in the Pot Tel 2nd Co. 1st Brigade of the 1st Depot Brigade. He was discharged, he returned to Seneca to farm with his father. On February 11, 1920, he married Pauline Runnebaum at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, Kansas. He farmed north of Seneca all of his life and retired and moved to Seneca in 1968.

The couple celebrated their 50th and their 55th Wedding Anniversaries publically. His wife Pauline passed away September 6, 1975.

His memberships include Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, St. Joseph Society, and the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion. Barnard kept busy; he did carpentry work for the neighbors and others in the community. He enjoyed wood working, gardening and fishing.

He is survived by his children, Lucille (Donald) Winkler of Seneca, Bernice (Anthony) Rettele, of Centralia, Edith (Bill) Kongs of Wetmore, Gilbert (Barbara) Osterhaus and Edna M. (Joe) of Seneca; a brother, Henry Osterhaus of St. Benedict; two sisters, Hilda Mathewson of Seneca and Anna Ronnebaum of Kansas City; 26 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Leonard on April 16, 1958; a grandson, Stephen Osterhaus on May 20, 1974; a brother, Alvin; and five sisters, Mary Deters, Elizabeth Wessel, Rose Wessel, Dora Wilberding and Alvina Halfen.

Rosaries were prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Mass of Christian Burial was Monday morning at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. The Burial was in the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Seneca. The military honors were provided by the Earle W. Taylor Post 21 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.