Carl A. Horstman, Sr.

Carl A. “Pop” Horstman, Sr., passed away Sunday, June 3, 2012. He was born on October 1, 1916 to the late William August and Mary Johanna (Moore) Horstmann. A lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Evansville, he served as a Deacon, was on the Property Board including serving as Chairman, and also helped maintain the buildings and grounds of the Church and school buildings for years. After meeting a wonderful redheaded, country girl, Amelia G. Niemeier, at the Saturday night dances at Crystal Heights Dance Hall, on June 23, 1943 while on a short leave from the military before heading overseas, he married into the St. Philip Catholic Church family and upon his return from his military service, quickly learned to love the country life. He never abandoned his Lutheran Faith, but he fully supported his adopted Church as a Charter Member of the St. Philip Men’s Club, serving as Treasurer and Historian, worked at the annual Summer Socials, the monthly Smorgasbords, the famous St. Philip Burgoo, the Fun Fests (Bierstubes), and many work groups formed to fix up and maintain the buildings and grounds of the church and school. He served as an officer of the St. Philip PTO and represented the school before the Posey County School Board. He and Amelia were chosen to the Brute Society representing St. Philip Church, being recognized as stellar examples of good Christian stewardship. In spite of raising a large family on a single income, he continued throughout his life to contribute financially and equally to both churches. During the Great Depression, Pop worked at Lincoln and Ferdinand State Parks as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC Camps) where he picked up the skills to help him build his own home following his marriage to “Melie”. Pop was a WWII Veteran, having served in England, France and Belgium in the Army Medical Corps. He was a life member of VFW Post #1114. Upon his return from service he found employment at the U.S. Postal Service. He served for 30 years, before retiring in 1976. He delivered mail on the Westside Area around Broadway and South Red Road. Upon his retirement he stayed very active as an officer of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE); a Board Member of SWIRCA; President of the St. Philip area Senior Citizens Organization and was honored as an Older Hoosier of the Year in 1995 by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. He was a strong advocate for Senior Citizens, attending many political functions, meeting and corresponding regularly with State and Federal legislators. Many who knew Pop know his real passion was bowling. Upon his return from WWII he joined a bowling league at the request of his brother, Bart and never looked back. Bowling for the next 65 years, he became involved in promoting the sport, including getting most of his children involved and served many of those years as league secretary including 30 years for the Career Associates League at Franklin Lanes; served on the Evansville Men’s Bowling Association Board of Directors; and was inducted in the Evansville Bowling Hall of Fame for his many years of service. One of his greatest joys was participating in the Senior Games (a.k.a. the Senior Olympics) where he qualified for the National Games every two years since 1987, winning Silver in the Doubles competition in Syracuse, NY and a Gold in Doubles competition in 2003 in Hampton Roads, VA. He also participated annually in the River City Senior Games in bowling, horseshoes, washers and clabber as well as the State Senior Games. Pop was preceded in death by a son, Allan Ray in 1947; by brothers, Herbert, August, Bart and Harold and sisters, infant Gertrude, Frances, Olga Henry and Mary Hall. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Amelia (Niemeier) Horstman; children, Dan (Rosemarie) Horstman; Rose (Cliff – deceased) Backes, Clem (Connie) Horstman, Carl, Jr. (Buffy) Horstman, Tom (Nancy) Horstman, Monica Horstman, Gloria (Mike) McDonald and Martha (Mike) Bohleber; grandchildren, Jeff (Vicky) Horstman, Joanna (Matt) Riney, Bruce (Chastidy) Horstman, Bryan (Leta) Horstman, Brad Horstman, Andy (Mindy) McDonald, Anthony (Addy) McDonald, Paul (Angie) McDonald, Nathan (Annika) McDonald, Audrey, Aaron and Angela McDonald, Matthew (Amanda) Bohleber, Michele Scott and 23 great grandchildren, with a couple of more on the way. He is also survived by a brother, Henry “Hank” Horstman of Evansville; sister, Edna Mae “Masie” Wibbeler of Leesburg, FL and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Carl will begin at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Illinois Street, Rev. Sean Esterline officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Philip Church Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Thursday at the church. The family would like to thank the staff at Westpark Rehabilitation Center for their special care of “Pop”, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Philip Legion of Mary and the Corpus Christi Prayer Group for their weekly visits. A special thanks to his frequent religious debater and friend, Father Don Dilger. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carl’s name to, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Illinois Street, Evansville, IN 47710 or to St. Philip Catholic Church, 3500 S. St. Philip Road, Mt. Vernon, IN 47620. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Carl A. Horstman, Sr.

October 1, 1916 - June 3, 2012