Obituary of Oke G. Lindell

Oke G. Lindell, 88, of 21 Maltby Street, died Wednesday December 28, 2011 in WCA Hospital. He was born March 14, 1923 in Ostbacken, Sweden, the son of Ellis and Gertrude Gillberg Lindell. A WWII veteran of the US Army, he served from 1943-46 in the 45th Infantry earning the rank of staff sergeant. For 2 of those years he was overseas and saw combat in Algeria, French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Northern France and Africa. He received a purple heart and numerous presidential citations. Prior to his retirement he was employed by Iron Workers Local #348 and was proud to say he help built the bridge over Chautauqua Lake. He was earlier employed by Brigg's in the Syracuse Region, Jamestown Fabricated Steel, Ludwig Construction and Bethlehem Steel. He was a member of John W. Tiffany Post #53 Veterans of Foreign Wars where he had served as past commander and for many years selflessly gave his time to its firing squad detail honoring fellow veterans. He was founder and first president of Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association. He was also a member of the American Legion. He was a coach for the Special Olympics Roller Skating for 9 years. He enjoyed playing poker and bingo for many years. He was a wise and great hunter, fisherman and trapper. Surviving are two daughters Yvonne Colburn of Jamestown and Priscilla (Hugh) Steed of Jamestown, five grandchildren Raymond (Kimberly) Whitacre, Tabitha Whitacre, James Colburn, Colorado Hintz and Krystal Hintz and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife the former Pauline Curtis, his second wife Shirley Olson, a daughter Penny Hintz and a sister Alice Magnuson. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Alan W. Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Thursday and for one hour prior to the service Friday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Chautauqua County Special Olympics, or Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association. You may light a candle in remembrance of Oke at www.lindfuneralhome.com.