Otto J. Boeckmann died Monday, March 7, 2011, surrounded by his family. He was 93 years of age.

Mr. Boeckmann was born Dec. 24, 1917, at his parents' rural home on the banks of the L'Anguille River in western Cross County.

Mr. Boeckmann lived his entire life in Cross County; he was the son of Henry C. Boeckmann Sr. and his wife, Rose Mary Bieker Boeckmann, who established their home and farm in Cross County in 1913.

On April 3, 1945, Mr. Boeckmann married the former Margaret Pauline Hess, who survives him.

They are the parents of Otto Joseph "Joe" Boeckmann Jr., Phillip R. "Randy" Boeckmann and Kathey Boeckmann, Richard E. "Gene" Boeckmann and Beth Boeckmann, Gerald W. "Jerry" Boeckmann and Renee Boeckmann, Raymond T. "Ray" Boeckmann and Jeannie Boeckmann, Carolyn B. Carter, Rose Mary (Mrs. Henry) Damron, Elizabeth "Betty" (Mrs. Cary) Latham, Martha (Mrs. Joe) Dooley, Paulette (Mrs. Mac) McClanahan, all of Wynne, and Joyce (Mrs. John) Albertson of Roland. Mr. Boeckmann is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 11 step-grandchildren.

Mr. Boeckmann is also survived by a brother, William "Bill" Boeckmann, and sisters, Edith (Mrs. Kenneth) Buenerkemper, Joan (Mrs. Paul) Hess and Pauline (Mrs. Arthur) Davis.

Mr. Boeckmann was preceded in death by one daughter, Teresa Lynn Boeckmann; two brothers, Henry C. Boeckmann Jr. and Charles P. Boeckmann; two sisters, Elizabeth "Beth" (Mrs. Sam) Frein and Cecilia (Mrs. Melvin) Diener; and two grandsons, Logan T. Boeckmann and Don Carter.

Mr. Boeckmann was educated in the rural school system of Cross County, attending the Gailey School in his community, and following his military service was awarded a high school diploma from the Wynne High School graduating class of 1935. The diploma was presented to him by his son, Gene Boeckmann, president of Wynne School Board.

Mr. Boeckmann was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1944. He participated in the ferocious and pivotal Battle of Buna Mission, which upon the defeat of the Japanese, secured the island of New Guinea, and ended the threat of the Japanese to Australia.

During this embattlement he received battlefield advancement to the rank of sergeant and among his other various medals and decorations, he received two Bronze Stars. Like many WWII veterans, the actual medals were never presented. However, on the occasion of the golden wedding anniversary celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Boeckmann on April 3, 1995, these military decorations were conferred by order of President Bill Clinton.

Mr. Boeckmann was lastly stationed in Australia, serving in the military police, and was discharged with the rank of corporal.

Placed in the casket with Mr. Boeckmann are stones from the shores of New Guinea and Australia, presented to the family for this purpose by the United States ambassadors of New Guinea and Australia. These stones commemorate Otto's connection with his friends and comrades who perished in battle.

The ambassador for New Guinea also presented a lapel pin for his burial as special thanks for his service in that nation.

Otto Boeckmann was a rice and soybean farmer until his retirement. In the 1960s Otto and his brother, Henry Boeckmann Jr., operated a duck hunting club on their farmlands. The members consisted of politicians and businessmen from Memphis. On one occasion a guest named Elvis Presley hunted with Otto, who neither knew of nor recognized him. The next day Elvis sent word how much he enjoyed his day hunting and that no one made any fuss or treated him in any special manner.

Otto Boeckmann was a loving son, husband and father, and a loyal brother and friend. Throughout his life Otto never used profanity or swear words. He was always kind and gentle with his family. His reproach to his children was "I wish you wouldn't do that" or a thump on the head with his finger for emphasis. He was respected by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Boeckmann was an active member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Wynne and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, attaining the 4th degree.

Burial was in the family's plot in Johnson Cemetery.