John Robert Oesterle

Franklin, Tennessee

With heavy hearts the Oesterle family shares their grief in the passing of their beloved John Robert Oesterle, 53, of Franklin, Tn. Though his passing was unexpected and much too soon, there is comfort in knowing that John has joined his eternal Father in heaven.

Born May 9, 1964, in Lansing, Michigan to Robert Eugene Oesterle and Virginia Ilene Sterle Oesterle, John was the only son in a family of seven children. He grew up on a dairy farm and was involved in the 4H program whereby he and his younger sister, Becky, raised and showed Suffolk sheep. Through Williamston Baptist Church, John received the highest Awana’s Citation Award. During his high school years at Williamston High, John was a member of the football and baseball teams. His magnetic personality touched many people and he was voted president of his junior class. John received his Bachelor of Science degree with honors from Michigan State University. Go Sparty! He then went on and obtained his Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University of Medicine followed by a residency in anesthesia at Henry Ford Hospital.

John married his true love and “Pearl”, Rebecca Jean Martelle, on November 10, 2000, in Charlotte, NC. He was wholeheartedly embraced by Becky’s large family and obtained instant brother status. John and Becky were set up on a blind date by Becky’s older sister, who’s intuition proved correct. John and Becky spent 17 wonderfully blessed years together.

John was the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career commending his dedication of excellence to the practice of medicine, his compassion towards his patients, and dependability and approachableness afforded to his peers. One award that John recently attained was Athlete of the Month from D1, where he found great joy and camaraderie.

John began his career as an anesthesiologist in 1998 with Physicians Anesthesia Service in Lansing, Michigan. He worked in Charlotte, NC for 16 years with American Anesthesiology (formerly Southeast Anesthesia ), and most recently with Anesthesia Medical Group in Nashville, TN.

An avid hunter and adored his hunting dogs: Pete, Nellie, Pearl, Olive, and Hazel, John was frequently seen around town with “the big girls” by his side. As an alum of MSU, John cheered on his Spartans and hung his MSU flag proudly. John had a dream to own a farm where he could raise sheep, cows, and buffalo. He believed he had found the perfect one and was looking forward to riding that John Deer tractor. John was a member of Brentwood United Methodist Church and attended regularly. One of John’s favorite memories was being a part of his son’s championship team, Hammerdown Football. John absolutely loved being the team doctor. Everyday after work John would arrive home and announce to his family, “I did a good job today” to which they responded, “you do good job everyday!” with smiles on their faces.

John was an “angel on earth”. He would look you in the eye and make you feel like you were the most important person in the world.

Preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Virginia Oesterle and sister Renee, John is survived by his wife Rebecca, children Ashlynn and Ethan, granddaughter Bekah, and his siblings Robin (Tim), Rainelle (Carl), Roberta (David), Raecene (Jeff), and Rebecca (Dave). John’s fur babies are Pearl, Olive, Hazel, Henni, Gertie, and Elke.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 19 from 11-12 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Williamston Chapel, 205 E. Middle St. Williamston, MI. John will be laid to rest at Alchin Farm Cemetery near his childhood family farm in Michigan.

Please direct gifts in John’s memory to either Support for Students at Michigan State University via supportforstudents.msu.edu or for Breast Cancer via cancer.org.

An online guestbook is available at AustinFuneralService.com and grwilliamston.com.