Holstein, Irving J. Jr.

Obituary: Irving J. Holstein Jr. - Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove, OK

AUGUST 29, 1927 ~ SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 (AGE 88)

Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home - Grove, OK 918-786-2261... Irving J. "Ike" Holstein, Jr. was born August 29, 1927 in Utica, NY to Irving J. Holstein, Sr. and Mary Anna (Jones) Holstein. He passed from this earth on September 17, 2015. Ike grew up in Utica, NY and at the age of 17 joined the United States Navy. He served in active duty from 1945 through 1968, serving in WWII and the Korean War. He remained on in-active duty until retirement in 1975. He held the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer at the time of his retirement. Ike met the love of his life, Norma Frances Patrick, and they married in Azusa, California on June 18, 1955. They were blessed with two sons, Richard Edward Holstein and Mark Jay Holstein. After retiring from the Navy he attended Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma graduating Summa Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1971. He taught history for two years before accepting a position with the Internal Revenue Service where he worked for ten years as a personnel management specialist. Ike had a lifetime membership to the Cherokee Grove Golf and could be found each morning playing nine holes of golf with a group of his golfing buddies. After his morning round of golf, he would spend his days working on their acreage on Grand Lake. Ike also had a deep love for animals. His dog Shadow followed him as he worked on the acreage. If you could get Ike to sit down long enough, he would start to tell stories. One of the favorites was about Fran "with all the billions of people in the world I was lucky to find Fran and that she agreed to marry this "scrawny, little guy" from New York." Ike was a member of the First Christian Church in Grove, Oklahoma. He is proceeded in death by his parents and sons, Richard and Mark. He is survived by his wife Frances of 60 years; grandson Michael Cody Holstein of Ruston, Louisiana; sisters Jean Smith of Ilion, NY; Mary Mills and her husband John of Spencerport, NY and Dorothy Kinsinger of Utica, NY; several nieces, nephews and friends. Services for Ike will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at the First Christian Church in Grove Oklahoma with Rev. Ron Riley and Rev. Thomas Hawkins officiating. Ike will be laid to rest at Buzzard Cemetery in Grove Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove, Oklahoma.

Service Details:  Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015 10:00am, First Christian Church-Grove