Submitted by: Dan Rich

Pauline D. Oettinger

April 7, 1914 - April 17, 2000

South Bend Tribune 4/20/2000

Pauline D. Camba-Cerio "Bobbie" Oettinger, 86, of Granger, Ind., passed away on Monday evening, April 17, in St. Joseph Care Center West. She was born on April 7, 1914, in Palmeton, Pa., to Manuel and Delores (Novoa) Camba.

On Sept. 24, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y., she married Charles Joseph Cerio, who died on Dec. 26, 1968. On Jan. 25, 1975, in New York, she married Joseph R. Oettinger, who survives. She is also survived by two daughters, Carmen Cerio (Cyprian) Belle of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Frances (Edward John Jr.) Butkera of Granger; her stepson, Joseph R. (Holly) Oettinger, Jr., of Winter Springs, Fla.; five grandchildren, Edward John Butkera, II, Jessica Pauline Butkera, Rebecca Anne Butkera, Joseph R. Oettinger, III, and Amy Oettinger; three sisters, Ethel Nania of Richmond Hill, N.Y., Doria Paz of Wappinger Falls, N.Y., and Bea Pampina of Baldwin, N.Y.

Mrs. Oettinger retired from the quality control division of the Charles Pfizer Company after 24 years service. Pauline was a devoted wife, mother, beloved grandmother and dear sister. Mrs. Oettinger was an accomplished homemaker and seamstress and great cook, an "Epicurean" Happy Heart she prided herself and always cooked more than needed for unexpected guests who would drop by and would not leave hungry.

She was multilingual in English and Spanish, and was self-taught in Italian. She loved traveling and had a never-ending thirst for knowledge. Prior to moving to South Bend seven years ago, she had resided in Brooklyn, Long Island and Florida. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She also served in ministries at Our Lady of Peace in Lynbrook, N.Y., Immaculate Heart of Mary in Florida and Blessed Trinity Catholic churches. She was past president of VFW Post 2307 Auxiliary in Lynbrook. She leaves behind her loving family and her devoted miniature poodle "Buggsie."

A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 9 a.m. today, April 20, in St. Pius X Catholic Church. Burial to be with Charlie will be on Monday, April 24, at St. Charles Cemetery in Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Northern Indiana Chapter, 425 N. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601. The Welsheimer North Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.