Alexander H. Oblein, Sr.

April 2, 1921 - April 18, 2016

Funeral Services for Alex H Oblein, 94 of Clarksville were held Friday April 22nd at the First Christian Church in Clarksville. The Rev. Al Boatman officiated. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery in Clarksville. Mr. Oblein passed away in Chesterfield Mo on April 18th. Mr. Oblein was born in Rochester NY on November, 2 1921 to Henry and Sarah (Milne) Oblein. Alex was the second of 5 children and was raised in Rochester, New York. Alex loved aviation and worked at Gannet Airport in Rochester, NY doing maintenance on the airplanes. This is where he learned how to fly. In fact he received his pilot’s license before he received his driver’s license. He passed flight test on his first attempt, it took him three tries to pass his driving test. Alex served 21 years in the military starting in the Army Air Corps in World War II as a crew chief on B-29 Bombers and C-47’s. After the war he transitioned to the Air Force and flew in the Berlin Airlift and was based in Rome and Greece. He flew throughout Europe and the Middle East during his tour. While in the Air Force he earned the rank of Master Sargent. In 1952 he met Julia Oblein of Clarksville and his life was changed forever. He proposed to Julia after knowing her for only 5 days, and they were married 3 months later in Clarksville after only having spent 21 days together. After they married they spent almost every day together for the next 61 years and legend says they never had an argument. Alex remained in the Air Force and continued to work on a variety of aircraft including F-86 Fighters and KC -135 Tankers. He finished his career in the Air Force maintaining Minute Man missiles. After retiring from the Air Force Alex went to work for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle Washington as an Aircraft inspector and was always proud that none of the planes he ever inspected had an accident. In 1970 Alex and Julia moved to Macomb, IL where Alex worked as a mechanic and a service manager at Gentry Bryant Ford. In 1985 Alex retired and moved to Clarksville where he and Julia lived very happily for the next 30 years. Along the way Alex and Julia had three boys, Alex in 1953, Paul in 1955 and Jack in 1959. Alex was very active in the 1st Christian Church of Clarksville and loved the members of the Church and his adopted family in Clarksville. Alex led by example and was a true gentleman as well as being a mentor to many people throughout his life. He was a shining example of the Greatest Generation. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was very proud of the philanthropic work that they do. He always felt his greatest assets were his Family, Friends and Faith and he considered himself to be a very wealthy man. Alex is survived by his children; Alex and Linda Oblein of Moore, OK. Paul and Kim Oblein of St. Peters MO. Jack and Cynthia Oblein for Kenosha, WI.; grandchildren, David Oblein, Becky (Oblein) Miller (Jeremy), Mathew Oblein (Stefanie), Travis Oblein(Brittany), Joshua Oblein(Ashley), Alex Oblein, Mary Oblein and Megan Oblein; great-grandchildren, Skylin Kirk, Connor Oblein, Lillian Oblein, Alexis Miller, Brooklyn Miller and Charleigh Kate Oblein; his siblings, Jack Oblein of Rochester NY, James Oblein Lawrenceville GA, Marge (Oblein) Cushman of Jacksonville North Carolina and William Oblein of Hampton VA. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Henry Leonard Oblein and Sara Oblein. Honorary Pallbearers were Charlie Bill Simpson, Gene Roethlisberger, David Oblein, Curtis Mitchell. Active Pallbearers were Matthew Oblein, Travis Oblein, Joshua Oblein, Alex Oblein, Mike Russell and Anthony Trent. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Clarksville in care of Collier Funeral Homes, 117 Barnard Drive, Louisiana, MO 63353.