Obituary of Willard J. Osterhout

Berne - On December 2, 2017, at home surrounded by his family, Willard J. Osterhout passed away.

Willard was the son of DeForest Osterhout and Helen Mae Brownell of New Salem.  He was born on February 9, 1940.  He graduated from Clayton A. Bouton High School and Hudson Valley Community College.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy.  After serving for 2 years in the Navy, Willard came home and married the love of his life, Jerrine M. Kane of Albany in 1966.  The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 19, 2016.

Together the couple moved to Warners Lake in East Berne and had four beautiful daughters. Laura Osterhout (Joseph Hufnagel) of Falls Church Virginia, Amy Anderson (Steven), Teri Osterhout-Paton (David), and Stacy Loucks (Theodore) of Knox, New York.

Carrying on Will's legacy are his beloved grandchildren to whom he dedicated his life. Joshua and Patrick Hufnagel, Tyler and Kyle Anderson, Caitlyn Fronckowiak (Michael) and Brienna Skipka (Ryan), Zachary, Alexandra and Alyssa Loucks.  Willard is also survived by his brother John R. Osterhout (Janet) of Delmar and his niece Heather Mooney (Timothy).  Willard was also blessed to be surrounded by many close friends who meant the world to him.

Will was an active member in his community.  He served on the Berne Town Board, he was a founding member of the Helderberg Bassmasters, he participated with the East Berne Businessman’s association, he authored many historical books and was an officer for the Warner’s Lake Improvement Association for 30 years.  Willard absolutely loved to perform with the Hilltown Players (although he couldn’t sing or dance) and some of his fondest memories were sharing the stage with his children and grandchildren. 

A service will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Helderberg Evangelical Lutheran Church on Helderberg Trail in Berne.  A celebration of his life will immediately follow at Maple on the Lake, friends and family are invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Hilltowns Players at P.O. Box 208, Berne, NY 12023 or The Warner’s Lake Improvement Association, 23 Oxford Place, Albany, NY  12203.