SHERMAN D. OLINGER

Sherman D. Olinger, 91, of Republic passed away on  Feb. 12.
He was born on April 15, 1931 in Galena, to Leroy and Etta (Eutsler)
Olinger, the second of six boys in the home.
He enlisted in the US Navy and honorably served his country for nine years from February 1942 to May 1951. He then served in the Reserves for six additional years. While enlisted, he served in the Korean War as an engine man on two different LSD ships, Gunston Hall (LSD #5) and Wet Stone (LSD #7).
On Dec. 7, 1949 he married Iris Pauline Maggard and this union was blessed with five children, Sharon, Paula, Sherman, James and Shelly.
He is survived by his children, Sharon (Ray) Valenzuela, Paula (Dennis) Tucker, Sherman (Jodie)Olinger II, James (Michelle) Olinger and Shelly (Shannon) Branham; 22 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren as well as other extended family and countless friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 66 years, Pauline; brothers, Robert, William, Jack, Albert and Paul; two granddaughters; and a great granddaughter Paisli Ulrich.
A celebration of life will be held on March 17,at 2 p.m. at Meadors Funeral Home in Republic. He will be buried at Evergreen Cemetery beside his wife and his great-granddaughter, with full military honors.