Michael douglas "Mike Mikey Ozzie" Oestreich

July 19, 1938-March 15, 2014 MISSOULA – Michael was a lifelong resident of Missoula. After graduating from Loyola Sacred Heart High School, he joined the Army Reserves, receiving an honorable discharge in 1964.

In his early years, Michael was a well driller for Glen Camp and drilled hundreds of water wells throughout western Montana. Subsequently, he ran the bleach plant at Hoerner Waldorf liner board pulp mill in Frenchtown. In 1976, he bought Westside Fuel Distributors, selling gas, coal, presto logs and wood pellets. He became know as the "Coal King" of western Montana. He was also certified by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality as a hazardous waste clean-up specialist. He founded Ozzie's Oil, Sweepstakes Manufacturing, Elkhorn Petroleum, a waste-water treatment plant and Double O for the rental business and operated all companies for over 30 years. Briefly he owned and operated Mickee's Truck Stop in East Missoula. He was a pioneer in the recycling of oil, solvents and glass. He never saw anything as useless; he saw rubbish and waste only as unused. Michael was a true entrepreneur.

By 2011, he had sold all of his environmental companies to concentrate on charitable work, travel and other interests.

He was an active, lifetime member of the Missoula Elks Club and Southside Lions Club and served on the supervisory committee for Gateway Community Federal Credit Union. As a trustee of Missoula Elks Lodge No. 383, he managed the recent remodel and renovation of the historic Missoula Hell Gate Elks Lodge and apartment building.

Michael enjoyed life; golfing at Canyon River, bowling, dancing and socializing. He was an avid environmentalist who loved hunting and fishing in the grandeur of his beloved Montana mountains. He spent the last week of his life doing what he enjoyed most, deep sea fishing, walking along the beach in the sun, dancing with Mary and visiting with good friends and even those he did not know.

Michael is survived by his best friend and the love of his life, Mary Oestreich. Also his son Kevin of Springfield, Mo.; daughters, Debbie of Kuna, Idaho, and Lori Ann of Hood River, Ore.; brothers, Jim Oestreich (Cheryl) of Roseville, Calif., Bob Oestreich (Debbie) of Seattle and sister Mary (Roy) Gilmore of Missoula. Mike had 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Michael became beloved of her family in Britain, Holland and South Africa when he married Mary in 1982, including Mary's sisters Margaret (Howard), daughters, Sian (James), Lucas and Erin, Claire (Ross), Theo and Elodie; Marian (Martin) and son Alexander. He particularly enjoyed his most recent visit to England and Holland in 2011 for the marriage of his niece, Claire. She had visited Missoula on numerous occasions and kept a special place in her heart for her uncle Michael.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Alice Oestreich; his daughter Christina Wilbur and grandson Joey Wilbur.

Michael will be sorely missed by his wife, family, many friends and his community, as well as his Schnauzer, Pickles.

We will be celebrating Michael's life at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, Missoula on Friday, March 28, at 4:30 p.m. A reception will follow the service in the community room of the funeral home.

Memorials have been suggested to the Heart Institute c/o Garden City Funeral Home 1705 W. Broadway Missoula, MT 59808.

Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.

Read Michael douglas 'Mike' 'Mikey' Oestreich's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.