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Weekly Bulletin May 29, 2022
by Terrie Evans
We are coming to the end of historical families that will be honored on Sunday, June 5th at Mass, and a Reception in the Hall. Today we honor the last two families who have many years of history with San Antonio Church, the D’Angelo and the Gene and Pat Osterkamp family. The first is Rosario D’ Angelo (1887-1929) who settled in South Fairmount and had a younger sister Concetta Agnes Mary D’Angelo (1889-1954) who also journeyed to America and settled in the “Little Italy” section of Lick Run whose parents were Zachariah and Rosa (Acito) D’ Angelo. Agnes (D’Angelo) married Antonio Augustine (1884-1926) on December 18, 1910, at Sacred Heart Church. They had 8 children before Antonio’s sudden death in 1926. Rosario D’ Angelo sister Agnes raised her children at 1968 Queen City Avenue and kept her family together while taking menial jobs. Rosario D’Angelo moved to 1890 Queen City Avenue when he became a Naturalized Citizen on October 3, 1914 and served in the Marine Corps in WWI from June 2, 1918-December 31, 1918, at Paris Island, South Carolina. After his service, Rosario married Theresa (Mueller) Wilhelm (1889-1972) a widow from Pennsylvania who was from Austria-Hungary and worked as a seamstress.
Rosario D’ Angelo and Theresa (Mueller) Wilhelm were married on April 29, 1920, at Sacred Heart Italian Church on Broadway in Cincinnati. They set up their homestead at 1869 Westwood Avenue, near Forbus Street. Their family consisted of Frances (D’ Angelo) Larbes (1920-1988) who attended St. Bonnies in the 1920’s, Theresa Wilhelm, Jacob Wilhelm, who was listed in the 10th Anniversary Program in charge of the Catholic Boys Brigade and the Blessed Virgin Society, and the youngest, Robert D’Angelo. Rosario suffered from Chronic Bronchial Asthma and passed away from the disease at age 42. After his passing, Theresa (Mueller-Wilhelm) D’Angelo became a member of the St. Ann Married Ladies Sodality where she served as Secretary of the women’s group.
Rosario and Theresa’s son, Robert D’ Angelo (1923-2007) served in the Army during World War II when he was 20. Before he enlisted, he was employed by The Powell Valve Company. On his return, Robert married Eileen V Miller (1927-2011) on April 12, 1947, at St. Bonnies’ Church by Rev. Ervin Gehring with a reception at the Price Hill Community Center and moved to 1858 Westwood Avenue. Their family consisted of Ronald, Donna Smith, and Nancy Buckner. Robert and his son Ronald worked in the plumbing business together until Robert D’ Angelo’s passing in 2007. The D’ Angelo Family joined San Antonio Church after the closure of St. Bonaventure Church and attended Mass and our Tuesday Rosary and Communion Service. After the passing of her parents, Donna (D’Angelo) Smith has remained a parishioner who has celebrated Mass with us on Sunday’s and continues to support our church.
Also, to mention of this Sunday is Gene Ostenkamp and the list of very talented Organists we have served us at Mass and special events held at San Antonio Church. A few years after our church was established, Margie Ebertz worked to establish the Choir and served as our organist. Her daughter Jolene (Ebertz) Lecture attended Mass, was a Christmas Angel on many Christmases Eves, and later took over playing the organ for Sunday Mass. A Granddaughter from the neighborhood, Barb (Esposito) Illaqua, would schedule Choir practice every week and played for Sunday Mass, funerals, and special events until she relocated for a job in Washington, D.C.
Out next Organist, Gene Ostenkamp was with us for 35 years until his passing in 2014. Gene along with Pat (Baarlaer) Ostenkamp were valued parishioners who were dedicated to the success of our church. Pat, a talented seamstress volunteered her sewing skills on many occasions even making new cushions for the Altar chairs and hemming cloths on the Altar. Gene and Pat celebrated 54 years of marriage at the time of his passing. Their family, daughter Doris (Ostenkamp) Lucas and sons, Gene, Ed, and Daniel Ostenkamp.
Our San Antonio Church Community also remembers the other talented musicians who were with us at Sunday Mass: Matt Spencer also served as the Director of Music at Holy Family, Denise Luebbe -Vasquez who was the Latino Community Liaison at Holy Family parish, Edward ‘Ted ‘Walter who is a Dean and Communication Director for the American Guild of Organists, and Ted Wartman who has played throughout the Archdiocese.
Our present Organist, Paul Wentzel who has been with San Antonio Church for 6 years, started playing at 11 years old after taking lessons at St. Clement Parish in St. Bernard. While attending La Salle High School, Paul played on Sunday mornings at St. Theresa Little Flower, St. Richard of Chichester, Assumption, St. Martin’s, St Ignatius, and many other churches in the Archdiocese.