The procession, which included Model T Fords and other classic cars, circled Oeder’s Lake on US 22/3 before heading to the cemetery. Lester Oeder built the lake in the 1950s and enjoyed allowing community groups to gather there for annual events, said son Richard Oeder.
Lester Oeder started out working as a farmer and for a gravel company in Warren County. At age 18 in 1929, he started his first business, making concrete blocks by day and delivering them at night with his wife. Next came an excavating business, in which he was successful building lakes and ponds, highway and bridge work all across the county.
Richard Oeder said his father used the crude excavating equipment of the day and was ultimately responsible for building 100 lakes in the county.
“He had a mind for invention and making things work better,” he said.
Lester Oeder diversified and expanded into Lebanon, building the former Old Fort Drive-in, located where the Ford dealership now sits on Columbus Avenue, which was a big draw for the community. During that time he owned and operated Oeder Sales and Service on Columbus Avenue, a car dealership where he sold International trucks and Nash cars. He also built Lebanon’s bowling alley and skating rink, now called Orbit Fun Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be directed to the Hamilton Twp. Police Dept., 7780 S. Ohio 48, Maineville, Ohio 45039, Hamilton Twp Fire Dept., 69 W. Foster Maineville Road., Maineville, Ohio 45039, Salem-Morrow Fire Dept., 5270 E. US 22&3, Morrow, Ohio 45152.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or rwilson@coxohio.com.
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