97-year-old World War II veteran teaches son about giving back

Aug. 29--The community of Caseyville paid tribute to a 97-year-old World War II veteran over the weekend as they dedicated Long Street.

Marcellus Obernuefemann, a former Caseyville resident and lifetime member of Caseyville VFW Post 1117, was receptive as he smiled and nodded to those who came to honor him.

He placed his hand over his heart and joined in with everyone in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. His son Gary Obernuefemann and his wife, Mary Jane, stood at his side appreciating the recognition of veterans in Obernuefemann's generation who are becoming less and less.

Caseyville Mayor Leonard Black said he was delighted to see the people who came out. He said it was important to recognize veterans who have served this country.

"This is a special day. The least we can do is come out and say thank you and show our respect for all that the veterans have done," Black said.

Following the ceremony Saturday morning, attendees shook Marcellus Oberneufemann's hand and thanked him for his service to his country.

"What a great day for veterans," Caseyville Trustee Wally Abernathy said.

To Obernuefermann, Abernathy said, "God bless him. Isn't he amazing? He was willing to come out here today and be a part of this dedication ceremony."

David Merriman, a Caseyville resident, said he came to the event "to see and be a part of the dedication. I was surprised to see so many people here. And I am always ready and willing to say thank you to our veterans," Merriman said.

Jim Bivens, event organizer and member of the VFW Post 1117 got emotional as he introduced the Polish American War Veteran color guard and thanked veterans everywhere for their service.

He talked about the important job that Obernuefermann had as the communications man. He told the crowd that Oberneufermann had to carry a 70-pound radio on his back through combat. He said he was a main target of the enemy because if he were taken out, there wouldn't be any communication for the squad.

"The radio man. I can't say enough for people like that," Bivens said.

Then he read something his wife, Jeanine Bivens, wrote about Obernuefemann in 2008 when he was a Caseyville resident. The piece that Bivens read aloud talked of how the then 89-year-old Obernuefemann cut his neighbors' yards and blew away their snow and sharpened their saws and knives. He also put up a large nativity scene in Caseyville back then and was a former Boy Scouts leader.

As Billy Cox, belted out the national anthem, Obernuefemann looked straight at him and appeared to be mouthing the words.

Gary Obernuefemann said he was extremely proud of his dad. Gary said he's heard lots of stories about the four-year tour his father did.

"They were on Anzio beach, and there was no place for them to run and they were getting bombed by the enemy," Gary said. "No matter where they went they were under attack. And he was overseas for four years without coming home."

The lesson Gary learned from his father -- "community service... to give back."

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