I got to sit and chat with Jim Oehlert, and his lovely bride, Beverly at their beautiful home in Limerick. We sat outside, under the gazebo overlooking a "Jim" built Koi pond with about 100 fish of various shapes and sizes in it...This couple is the stuff dreams are made of.....They complete each other's sentences and smile at each other....They are truly in love after 59 years! But, let's start at the beginning...James Oehlert "Jim" was born and raised in Limerick Township with one brother and one sister....Mom and Dad were of German decent...His Dad started Oehlert Brothers Oil Company and their first delivery was 12/24/48! |
 I got to sit and chat with Jim Oehlert, and his lovely bride, Beverly at their beautiful home in Limerick. We sat outside, under the gazebo overlooking a "Jim" built Koi pond with about 100 fish of various shapes and sizes in it...This couple is the stuff dreams are made of.....They complete each other's sentences and smile at each other....They are truly in love after 59 years! But, let's start at the beginning...James Oehlert "Jim" was born and raised in Limerick Township with one brother and one sister....Mom and Dad were of German decent...His Dad started Oehlert Brothers Oil Company and their first delivery was 12/24/48! As a boy, Jim went to a one-room schoolhouse that housed eight grades of learning....and believe it or not, Jim walked one mile to get to school! True story! In first and second grade, the schoolhouse had an outhouse, no electricity, and a pot belly stove for heat! Another true story!! In seventh grade, Jim attended Royersford Junior/Senior High School, which still stands on Washington Street in Royersford. In 1957, Jim attended Lafayette College in Easton, PA. He also started young in his volunteering career, he was a member of the National Guard for six years. In 1960, Jim was set up on a blind date, which would change his life forever...He had the top down on his candy apple red Austin Healey Sprite, preparing to take a young lady named Beverly out to Specht's Chicken....after driving 3 miles, Beverly asked that he put the top back up...the wind was messing up her hair! Ever since then, Jim has been making sure Beverly is well taken care of! They got engaged after 2 years of dating....Jim drove from Harrisburg on her birthday, 8/15, and proposed! They were married the year after, in 1963. Beverly attended Bryn Mawr Hospital School of Nursing...and at that time, the three-year program with room/board, meals, books, etc. was $500 for the three years!!!! Jim went to work with his father in the oil delivery business in 1962, working from 7:30 - 5:30 delivering oil! Jim and Beverly have a daughter, Sandra, and son, Steve, along with 4 grandchildren ages 26 - 30. Beverly worked part-time teaching a nursing curriculum at St. Joe's, then worked as the Director of Counselling at Ursinus...As their children grew, Jim and Beverly believed in educational and enriching vacations.....They participated in many Road Scholar/Elderhostel programs, exploring such places as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Utah, Alaska, Galveston, Sweden and Hawaii.....Now, Jim is retired from the business, since 2015....He then handed it down to his son, Steve to run. And, Beverly took care of her Mom for five years til she passed. Jim and Beverly have lived 46 years in Limerick Township...Jim is an avid "birder" and gardener....amoung the lush landscaping Jim created, they have three ponds. Giving more of his time, Jim also completes 20 hours of volunteer work annually for the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Group! One of Jim's passions was running....he ran in 369 races from 1978 - 2017...to name a few, the Broad Street Run, and the Marine Corp. Marathon in Washington, DC...He could run a 5K in under 20 minutes...WOW....when I posed the question of "what is in your bucket list"....Beverly answered quickly....."I wish I would have traveled more"...Jim said, "I'd like to do a Viking cruise" ! This time I shared with the Oehlerts' was relaxing and so enjoyable. |
