OELKE, Edward William
October 22, 1953 – July 6, 2023
Ed passed away quietly at home surrounded by his close family and friends.
He was a blessing to his wife of 48 years Pam Oelke (McPhie), his children Sarah Thomson and Garth Oelke (Danielle), Brian Stanovie (Joanna), his grandchildren Trever, Hayden, Matthew, Cameron-Emily, Sawyer, William, Landon, Juliet and Eleanor, his brothers Jim Oelke, Darren Oelke (Theresa), Barry Gust (Janice), Danny Oelke (Diane), Stephen Gust (Sari), his sister Linda MacMillian (Bill), Aunt Beverly Walker (Hubert), and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his father Karl Oelke and mother Marion Oelke (Hubert), Step-Mother Hilda Oelke (Gust) and son-in-law John Thomson. Ed will be missed by his chosen family Orland and Linda Welke, John and Linda Makey, Fred and Barb Werner, Roger and Maureen Kleebaum, Frank and Charlene Vandergriendt, Jeff and Andrea Desruisseau and family.
During his 35 year career throughout the RCMP in J and O Divisions, Ed and his family has been blessed to meet countless friends. Following his retirement, he returned to work life at the London Courthouse. Ed loved to hunt and fish with brothers, cousins and friends on a yearly basis, although he usually was the chief cook and bottle washer. The time spent back home in the Ottawa Valley was so important to him spending time visiting his happy places at the hunt camp or Crooked Lake.
Ed will be remembered by his faith, his sense of community, love of people, generosity, mission mindedness, and an outreach heart. He was so much to so many, RCMP family, Courthouse family, church family, Lutheran Social Service family, Bethany Hope Foundation family and wonderful neighbors. What will they remember…His laugh, you knew when you came into a room where he was in that room!
To his family and friends who became family, the “Hotel Oelke” was always opened…cooking a family dinner, sharing fun times, adventures will always hold stories of “Remember When!”. The Oelke family would like to thank each and everyone who knew Ed, shared this journey of illness, and support his final days with faith, hope, and love. Remember to reach out to others. Special thank you to his Palliative Health Care Team under the guidance of Dr. Jeff Price and Dr. Mok.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Tuesday, July 11 2023 at Harris Funeral Home 220 James St. London, ON. A funeral service will be held at 10 am on July 12 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church, 310 Southdale Rd London, ON. Interment at 1:30 pm at Woodhull Cemetery 283 Gideon Dr. London, ON.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany’s Hope Foundation or Faith Lutheran Church – Capital Improvement.