Born: May 4, 1929, to Garret & Mary (Shoemaker) Oosting on a farm near Adams NE. Graduated from Adams High School in 1946.
Taught Class of 17 at Public School District #56 in Johnson County near Sterling NE. Worked at Demister Mill in Beatrice, joined NE National Guard in Beatrice, did construction in Lincoln, section of Burlington Railroad in Hickman and at the Havelock shops in Lincoln.
Discharged from the Army National Guard in Beatrice and joined the U.S Air force as Staff Sargent at Camp Polk, Louisiana. Married Mabel E. Tiedeman in 1952 and joined Merl in Louisiana. In 1954 first daughter was born.
After discharged they rented a farm near Firth NE. Farmed until 1961 and had two more daughter. Moved to Lincoln and started working for Gooch Grain Mill in Lincoln. Retired after 30 years of employment. Merl and Mabel had a son and one more daughter.
In 1994 they built a home in Hickman, NE. Merl went back to farming four years for Rick in Hickman. Mable worked at the Hickman grocery store where she had worked before marriage.
Was president of Grain Millers Local 31, on the Executive Board and Vice President on the Lincoln Central Labor Union. Was a board member of Lincoln Labor Temple Building Association. On the NE State AFCIO board and NE UID board of Lincoln. Merl was on the United Way board, Lincoln Open Door Health Board and member of the Hickman American Legion Post 105.
Special recognitions: Admiral of the Nebraska Navy issued by Governor Jim Exxon. A Bower Award, Lincoln Central Labor Union award and the Nebraska State AFLCIO Labor Leaders Hall of Fame award.
Survivors: Daughter Phyllis and Daniel Scdoris of Hickman, Daughter Shirley and Mike Wolfing, Daughter Dorothy Riggins, Son Merl and Barb Oosting, and Daughter Jan Miller all of Lincoln. Sister Verlie Gushard of Lincoln, Sister-in-law Betty Oosting of Adams, Sister-in-law Ester Oosting of Adams and brother-in-law Joe McNeil of Lincoln. 22 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by loving wife Mabel Oosting, parents Garrett and Mary Oosting, In-law parents Louis and Edith Tiedeman, brothers Glen and Lorin Oosting, and sister Carol McNiel. In-laws Bill Gushard, Don and Lena Tiedeman, Lloyd and Agnetta Tiedeman, Earl and Doris Tiedeman, Darlene and Earl Behrends, and son-in-law Neil Miller.
