Obituary of J. Fred Overman

J. Fred Overman, age 91, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at Fairhaven in Whitewater, WI. Fred was born in Portsmouth, OH on February 7, 1919, the son of John Frederick and Wilda (Graham) Overman. He graduated from Pembine High School and from Marinette County Teacher's College. He took short courses in Biarritz, France on the GI Bill following his service in World War II, and later earned a BS degree at Milwaukee State Teacher's College (now UWM). He received his Master's and PhD at the UW-Madison in School Administration and Supervision. Fred served in the Army during WWII, in the European theater as a Chaplain's Assistant and Message Center Code Clerk. Fred was a life-long educator, teaching in a one-room school (grades 1-8), an Elementary School teacher, a Waukesha County Supervising Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator at Brookfield, WI; Elementary Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction; and Professor of Elementary and Special Education at UW-Whitewater. He worked closely with those who formed the Department of Special Education and was insturmental in forming the Council for Exceptional Children. On December 19, 1959, Fred married Elenore R. Schultz in Waukesha, WI. Ellie preceded him in death on March 7, 2006. Fred had lived in Portsmouth, OH, Niagara, Pembine, Waukesha, Madison and Fort Atkinson, WI. In 2003, Fred and Ellie moved to Fairhaven in Whitewater, WI. Fred was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Atkinson where he sang in the choir, taught Adult Sunday School, and served on various church committees. He was a member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and many other Educational organizations. He was a member of the Fort Atkinson Lion's Club, the Friends of the Library, and Laubach Literacy organizations. He volunteered with the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry and the Meals on Wheels program. Fred enjoyed concerts, reading and traveling, but his true passion was gardening. Fred was a gentle and humble man who lived his life without seeking attention for himself, always asking �what would Jesus do?� He will be deeply missed, not only by his family, but also by the many lives he touched at work, at church, and in the community. The family would like to express deep gratitude to the staff of Hearthstone and Fairhaven, for their gentle and loving care during Fred�s struggle with Alzheimer�s. Surviving are: Daughter: Rev. Ruth (Andrew Hussar) Overman, Fort Atkinson, WI and Son: Rev. John (Dr. Lynn Cornelius) Overman, Harrisburg, PA, two grandchildren: Christian and Sarah; Brother: Russel Overman, Dunbar, WI, and nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 19, 2010, at 11:00AM at the First United Methodist Church, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin with Chaplain Nancy Breitsprecher officiating. Inurnment will be in the Carillon Tower in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, WI. Friends may call after 10:00AM on Saturday at the church until the services. Memorials may be made to Hearthstone Memory Care at Fairhaven; the Fred and Ellie Overman Scholarship fund at UW-Whitewater, or First United Methodist Church, Fort Atkinson. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson is assisting the family