Alfred Allen "Fred" Oeder

1942-2026

Alfred Allen "Fred" Oeder passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 8, following a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family.  He was the beloved son of the late Carl and Elva (Creamer) Oeder and lived a life defined by dedication, service, hard work, and love for his family and community.

Fred was the proud father of three children: Chris (Becky) Oeder, Craig (DeLanna) Oeder, and Becky (Kevin) Ehling; and stepfather to Rick (Ali) Ferguson and Scott (Kim) Ferguson. He was a cherished grandfather to 25 grandchildren and their spouses, and a devoted great-grandfather to 28 great-grandchildren. Fred is also survived by his loving companion, Ella Fields, who brought joy and companionship to his later years.

He is survived by two brothers, Tim Oeder and Rick (Dale) Oeder, and five sisters: Mona (Bob) Amburgy, Donna Curran, Linda Metz, Carla (Paul) McVay, and MaryBeth (Ron) Muncy, as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene Oeder, and his brothers, Carl Oeder, Jr. and Danny Oeder.

Fred's work ethic was second to none. Alongside his parents and brothers, he owned and operated Carl W. Oeder Trucking, Inc., a family business founded in 1934. In addition to the trucking business, the Oeder family also owned and worked a farm where Fred spent countless hours raising cattle and working the land. The farm produced hay and straw and supported crops including wheat, corn, and soybeans. Whether baling hay under the summer sun or tending to livestock and fields, Fred embraced the long days and hard work that came with farm life—lessons he quietly passed down through example.

He began his career behind the wheel as a truck driver before transitioning into dispatch and eventually running the company. Fred had a lifelong love of trucks and machinery and was always tinkering—repairing engines, working on lawn mowers, or rebuilding Power Wheels for the next generation. He especially enjoyed teaching younger generations, patiently sharing his knowledge and taking pride in watching others learn and grow.

One of Fred's most beloved traditions was "putting up the Oeder corn." This was not a casual task—it was an operation. Fred was particular about who could pick the corn and knew it took a full crew to get the job done: bucket carriers, huskers, silkers (thank goodness for the automated corn silker), cookers (three minutes per pot, no more and no less), corn cutters, and baggers. It was a true family affair, often processing more than 800 ears of corn in a single day. When the family's work was finished, Fred made sure the remaining corn in the field didn't go to waste—personally seeing that it was picked and delivered to local fire departments, police departments, and neighbors.

When he wasn't in the garage, the cornfield, or the hayfield, Fred could often be found at his computer playing cards or challenging himself with Sudoku puzzles. He also loved NASCAR and spent many years traveling with friends to races in Daytona, Atlanta, and Las Vegas—memories he treasured deeply. Fred also had a fondness for the casino, where "Quick Hits" was always his favorite slot machine. A weekly visit—usually on Sundays—remained a cherished routine for him nearly until the very end.

Fred was deeply committed to public service and proudly served for many years as a Hamilton Township Trustee. During his tenure, the township experienced significant growth and progress. The police department was established, the fire department evolved from a fully volunteer organization to a part-time department supported by volunteers, and the maintenance department expanded from a single employee to a team of three to four. He also helped lead the township through the transition to home rule, giving the community greater flexibility in governance and the ability to respond more effectively to residents' needs. Early in his career, before there was a large road crew, Fred didn't hesitate to pitch in—often heading out himself during snowstorms and severe weather to help clear roads and keep the township moving.

Fred lived a very loving and full life and would want everyone to celebrate his life, not mourn it. He believed in family, service, hard work, and enjoying the simple pleasures—time together, shared traditions, and lending a hand to others. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched—as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, public servant, and friend.

Visitation, Friday, February 13, 2026 from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM with a service the following day, Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM, all at the Vale-Hoskins Funeral Home, Morrow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Fred's favorite charities The Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org), or to your local fire or police department in his honor.