Cletus P. Olinger

Cletus P. Olinger, age 85, of Huntington, died at 3:00 p.m. Saturday (March 10, 2012) at his home, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Clete was born February 6, 1927, in Huntington, to Paul and LuLu (Sutton) Olinger. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1943. Clete went on to Huntington College after attending Art School in Fort Wayne. He served in WWII as Navy Seaman 1st Class aboard an LST Carrier and was especially proud of his military service in the pacific. He married M. Anne Bickel on April 20, 1951 in Huntington. Clete retired from Our Sunday Visitor as a Graphic Artist after 43 years of service. He received many national awards for his graphic designs and watercolor paintings. He is a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He was involved in the development of the Gemmer Field Baseball Diamonds and enjoyed coaching the Our Sunday Visitor Little League Team for more than 20 years. Clete enjoyed sports and played high school basketball and football but excelled in track and field. He was very active in youth programs including – baseball, basketball and baton twirling. He coached the Huntington Catholic boys CYO basketball team and lead this team to a state championship title in 1968. He loved salmon and steelhead fishing and was a die-hard Cubs fan and an avid I.U. basketball fan. He also enjoyed barbershop quartet singing and was a tenor for years in the local quartet “The HuntingTones”. His greatest joys were his loving wife “Annie,” their children and their families as well as his beloved pet Muffie. Survivors include his wife of 61 years - M. Anne Olinger of Huntington; three sons - Chip (Deb) Olinger of Huntington, Jeffrey A. Olinger D.D.S of Huntington, Jamie (Melanie) Olinger, of Huntington, three daughters - Anne (Jim) Brooks, of Dayton, Ohio, Daneen (Steve) Grove of rural Huntington, Sue (Jim) Sunderman, of Huntington, 18 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, two sisters - Gwendolyn Saunders and June Glassburn preceded him in death. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday (March 13, 2012) at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Rosary services at 6 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday (March 14, 2012) with one-hour visitation prior to mass at St. Mary Catholic Church 903 North Jefferson with Father John Pfister officiating. Burial will be held in the Mount Calvary Cemetery with Military Grave side services provided by the V.F.W Post #2689 of Huntington. Memorial contributions are Masses to the St. Mary Catholic Church in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.

Cletus P. Olinger

February 6, 1927 - March 10, 2012