Ernest Tresch

OREGON-Ernest H. Tresch, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. Ernie lived a long full life. He was born in Fleming, Ohio, on the family farmstead on May 31, 1917, to Hiram and Maria (Mae) Tresch. He attended Vincent High School and then followed his brother, Dean, to the Ohio State University where he majored in horticulture. He left college to enlist in the Army and to pursue his life-long dream of flying. Little did he know where it would take him. After completing his cadet flight training at Bowling Green, he was stationed in North Africa as a bomber pilot. He flew his 40 missions without ever losing a crew member, even though his plane often returned riddled with bullet holes. His record didnt go unnoticed. General Eisenhowers office asked him to report as one of Ikes personal pilots. Ernie flew Eisenhower and several other generals at the same time, around the world on the Good Will Tour following the war. After his service to our country ended, he returned to Ohio and was employed as the corporate pilot for Marietta Concrete, later to become a part of Martin Marietta/Chromalloy. During that time he met and married Lydia Given, who had served as an Army captain nurse in England. They enjoyed attending the Ohio State football games and having fun with their friends. They moved to Oregon, WI. in 1970. They had two children, Karen (Peter) Kiss, presently living in Huntsville, AL., and Brenda (Michael) Greene, of Marshall. Ernies grandchildren, John, Christina, and Matt Greene provided lots of love and entertainment to his life. Ernie was a member of the Peoples United Methodist Church and the Oregon Masonic Lodge No. 151. Lydia preceded him in death in 1976. He was also preceded in death by a brother Dean Tresch and a sister Grace Henderson. Ernie was a spunky man who enjoyed good times with his family and friends, lapidary, working at the coliseum, and serving as a crossing guard. In 1987, he married Anna Kenny Fluckiger and added four children, Pat (Urban) Klosterman, Nancy (Dan) Kinney, Bob (Amber) Fluckiger, and Larry (Tracy) Fluckiger and an ever expanding number of grand and great-grandchildren, to his family. Anna preceded him in death in 2002. Ernie loved to travel and one of his last trips was to the World War II Memorial. He continued with an active life right up until the end. Ernie will be remembered as a kind and gentle man, a character, and for his famous ear to ear smile. Funeral services will be held at the PEOPLES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 103 Alpine Parkway, Oregon, (corner of Alpine and Jefferson) at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 12, 2009, with the Reverend Jon Claude Bartlett presiding. Family and friends may call on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 431 Soden Drive, Oregon, where a Masonic service will begin at 3:30 PM. Friends may also call on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of the services at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Oregon Senior Center.