ORTNER OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri
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ORTNER, Alvin Levi 1907 - 1999

Clinton Daily Democrat Nov 22 1999 - Alvin Levi Ortner was born November 14, 
1907, in Hooker, Oklahoma, to John and Minnie Ortner, who were second 
generation German emigrants from Russia. In December 1911, his parents moved 
to Clinton by covered wagon. Alvin's early years were spent here learning his 
father's trade of carpentry. He attended the local schools and then went to Union 
College in Lincoln, Nebraska. On June 15, 1931, he married Marie Blee, and to 
their union Patricia Ann Marie was born on April 12, 1933. Tragically within a 
few days, Marie passed away. Patty was his only child. In 1936, Alvin married 
Meta Cox, a secretary in the Missouri Conference Office of the Seventh-day 
Adventist Church. They were happily married until she preceded him in death in 
May of 1996. Alvin started a new venture in 1931, hatching baby chicks. The 
business grew until he had clientele in all 48 states and he kept it going for 40 
years, until 1971. As a lifelong resident of Clinton he was very active in civic 
affairs and a variety of business ventures. He became involved during his later 
years in the establishment of the Henry County Museum. He loved Clinton and gave 
of himself to the community. A lifelong member of the Clinton Seventh-day 
Adventist Church, he was deeply involved and supportive of every activity upon 
which the church embarked. Indeed the church was central to his life. He served 
as a local elder for over 40 years, and in addition to this he was very much 
involved in the larger church picture such as the activities of the Iowa-Missouri 
Conference, the establishment of Sunnydale Academy, the development of Union 
College and Oma Linda University and Medical Center. He served on a number of 
these boards and on their executive committees. Alvin had a strong commitment 
to help those who were in genuine need, and often he provided support without 
the recipient's being aware of the source. Alvin's life was marked by a sense of 
commitment to make life better by helping others. He was generous yet frugal; he 
was wise but with a sense of humor; and he will be remembered by a host of 
friends and loved ones as a man who accomplished his goal; he made the world a 
better place. Funeral services were held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 
Clinton, on Thursday, November 4, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Gary Brady, Walter Brown 
- President, Iowa - Missouri Conference, Charles Sandefur - President, Mid-
American Union Conference, Ralph S. Watts, Jr., Ralph S. Watts III and William 
Wampler - Former President, Iowa-Missouri Conference officiating. Musical 
selections were by Marcia Falk and Alvin's favorite hymns were by Gary Brady. 
Pallbearers were Herb Funk, John Sandquist, Jerry Foxworthy, Delbert Bolejack, 
Mark Sisson and David Card. Burial was in the Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, under 
the direction of Vansant-Mills, Clinton.

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