Glen E. Syring

Glen Elmer Syring, age 75, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Heaven’s Harbor.

He was born on June 2, 1948 in Wausau, WI to the late Elmer and Nora Rheinschmidt Syring. He was a 1966 graduate of Mosinee High School. Glen earned his Bachelor of Science- Paper Science Engineering degree from Western Michigan University in 1970 where he attended on a Mosinee Paper Mills Foundation Scholarship. After graduation, Glen worked for Consolidated Papers, Inc. for 30 years before retiring from the River Division in Stevens Point.

Glen grew up in Mosinee, WI where he met his wife, Susan Oatman. After getting married in 1969, they relocated to the town of Linwood where he built their home and homestead on 60 acres of wooded land. He and his wife raised their two daughters along with many animals on their hobby farm with goats, cows, a pony, chickens, ducks, a donkey, and geese. Glen enjoyed country living and being outdoors, especially with his hunting crew for 40 years. Every spring, Glen would tap the maple trees on their property to manufacture their own homemade maple syrup which they shared with friends and family. Each summer he planted a garden with pumpkins, green beans, peas, cucumbers, squash, and wild flowers. In the winters, the family would harvest firewood from the property in order to heat the home. Glen worked tirelessly not only to maintain his own homestead, but also to help his neighbors and friends whenever something needed to be fixed or repaired.

Glen was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. He began his scouting life as a Cub Scout with his mother, Nora, as his Den Mother until he crossed over to Boy Scouts. Glen reached the rank of Eagle Scout with two palms and was a member of the Order of Arrow. As a young scout, Glen also attended National Jamboree in Valley Forge. Glen continued his scouting life as an adult leader serving as a Scout Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Scoutmaster of Troop 294 in Stevens Point, WI for over 20 years. In 1989, Glen was awarded Outstanding Scouter by his Troop. During his time as a Boy Scout Leader, Glen orchestrated many trips for his troop including a high adventure trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota and a 50-mile bike expedition. Later in life, Glen continued his scouting story as he served as a Cub Scout Den Leader for his grandson’s Cub Scout Den Troop 211 for 6 years in Ocean Springs, MS. He was especially proud when his granddaughter decided to join the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 212G in Biloxi, MS.

Glen served as a 4-H Leader in Stevens Point, WI for 10 years. He taught leatherworking, woodworking, macrame and gardening. Glen was always up to a challenge and lived to learn new skills and share his knowledge with others. He helped with countless projects over his time in the 4-H including helping both of his daughters build sailboats.

In 2009, Glen and his wife relocated their homestead to Ocean Springs, MS to help care for his first grandchild, Nora. He devoted the last 15 years to his grandchildren, Nora, Patrick and Daniel. During his time in Ocean Springs, he continued his community service by serving as a volunteer at the Gulf Island National Seashore Park and Ship Island. During his service, he made two benches which he donated to the parks visitors center. Glen also volunteered at the First Baptist Preschool in Ocean Springs while his grandson’s attended for 3 years. Glen was also well known at Oak Park Elementary because of his creative designs, costumes, and vehicles he created for his grandchildren during their attendance and his willingness to share his knowledge and expertise. Perhaps, Glen is most well known in Ocean Springs for his yard signs and sense of humor. During the 15 years in Ocean Springs, Glen continued to help friends and family when anything needed repaired because he could fix anything. If you asked Glen, he would say his greatest accomplishment was teaching his grandchildren many lifelong skills.

Glen spent hours carving wooden duck decoys and building wooden toys, treehouses for his grandchildren, and animals to share with others. He loved to read about history, especially the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. He also enjoyed watching old Westerns especially John Wayne. Glen loved traveling the United States and visiting the National Parks and Civil War Battle sites while educating his family and friends on vacations. One of Glen’s fondest adventures was kayaking with a college friend down the Missouri River in Montana while camping along the way; reenacting the path of Lewis and Clark. Glen was an avid antique collector, restoring old trunks and collecting antique tools which he used on his never-ending projects.

Glen is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Nora Syring; stepmother, Ellen Syring; and by his brother, Roy Syring. Left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 54 years, Susan Oatman Syring; children, Michelle Syring (Michelle Marshall) and Rachel (Kevin) Ryan; grandchildren, Nora, Patrick, and Daniel Ryan; brother, David Syring; brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws, Sherry (Gary) Tetzlaff, John (Jean) Oatman, Mike (Lisa) Oatman, Chuck (Kris) Oatman, and Debbie Syring; nieces and nephews, Travis Tetzlaff, Sean Tetzlaff, Jessica Oatman, Jonathon Oatman, Paul Oatman, Terry Oatman, Ashley Struzynski, and Becky Syring; 16 great nieces and nephews; and countless other family and friends that are family.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heaven’s Harbor including: Debbie, Dwayne, Rhonda, Dakota, Katie and Kendra. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be used to establish a Scout Scholarship to assist scouts to attend summer and winter camps locally.  

A memorial service will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs. Friends may visit two hours prior.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Glen Elmer Syring.

Harvest of Memories

When you plant seeds

in the lives of others

And water them with love and care

You will reap a harvest

of sweet memories

That will follow you everywhere