Edgar Ostendorf

Edgar L. Ostendorf, of Hunting Valley, Ohio, passed away suddenly August 21st, 2012. Mr. Ostendorf was the former owner of Ostendorf Associates real estate agency of Cleveland, Ohio. His father, Edgar, Sr., was also a renown realtor, founder of the Ostendorf-Morris Company, and was instrumental in the development of Shaker Heights with the Van Sweringen brothers. Ed was an industrial and commercial real estate broker, a profession he embraced since graduating from John Carroll University with a business degree. From 1982 to 1995 Ed also ran a small manufacturing company, Schuler International. Ed, who towered over nearly everyone at an impressive 6'5-3/4", often chuckled that an additional quarter -inch would have kept him out of the draft. He was thankful it did not, as he was proud of his service as a First Lieutenant in the Army. This distinguished, soft-spoken gentleman had been donating his time to the Court Community Service since May 1991, when the offices were still in the Marion Building on West Third Street. Reflecting his extensive business background and deep commitment to Cleveland, Ed has served the CCS community with distinction in several other voluntary capacities, and in addition as a board member of the Cleveland Board of Realtors and chairman of its professional standards committee; as Founder and board member of the Council of Smaller EnterprisesCOSE and on its governmental affairs committee; as a member of the advisory board of the St. Joseph Christian Life Center one of CCS's 266 participating agencies; as an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau's auto program; on the candidates' committee of the Citizens League; and on the occupational planning committee of the Welfare Federation now the Federation for Community Planning. Ed has also volunteered at the Greater Cleveland Growth Association. In 1964 he ran unsuccessfully for State Representative-a "bad year for Republicans". It's not surprising that Ed has "always felt that it's important for everyone to do community work"". A dedication to volunteerism is deeply ingrained in the Ostendorf family. Ed's wife Joan was first vice president of the Junior League of Cleveland, has served on the board of the Institute of Music and as president of its women's committee, and was a founding member of the Junior Women's Committee of the Cleveland Orchestra. Continuing the family tradition of service to the community, the Ostendorfs' only child, Mary Beth Ostendorf Harvey, received an award for her leadership and service to the Junior League of the City of New York. Ed is survived by his dear daughter Mary Beth Ostendorf Harvey, his dear son-in-law Christopher L. Harvey and beloved grandchildren Brendan, Grace, Jack and Patrick Harvey from New York. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to The Portsmouth Abby School, 285 Corys Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871, or to The Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, 2600 Lander Rd., Pepper Pike, OH 44124, or to John Carroll University, 20700 North Park Blvd., University Hts., OH 44118, or to Hawken School, 12465 County Line Road, Gates Mills, OH 44040. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, September 8th at 10:30 AM in The Chapel of The Most Holy Trinity in the Ursuline Educational Center/Mother House 2600 Lander Rd., Pepper Pike, OH. A family Interment service was held in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, OH. For additional information, directions and to sign the guestbook, please log online to www.Brown-Forward.com . BROWN-FORWARD SERVICE 216 752-1200


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