This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Ohler, Younkin, Witt, Parish, Courtney, Maust Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4914/mb.ashx Message Board Post: LAS CRUCES Sun News 5 Nov 2010 Ken E. Ohler, former Las Cruces city manager and city commission member, died Wednesday in Holidaysburg, Pa. Ohler, 71, was city manager from July 1977 until January 1980, and served on the then-city commission from 1980 to 1982. During his tenure as city manager and on the commission, Branigan Library, Meerscheidt Recreation Center, Jacob W. Hands Wastewater Treatment Plant, numerous ball fields and neighborhood parks, and the West Mesa rest stop overlooking the city off Interstate 10 all were constructed. "He was quite proud of those accomplishments," said Ken Ohler, his son. "He was quite the guy." After leaving Las Cruces, Ohler became project manager for the city of Jubal, Saudi Arabia. "It was an experiment by the sheik," Ohler said. "He started a city in the middle of the sand and built it from the ground up. In its first year, Jubal had a population of 30,000. Since the city hadn't been built, my father had the title of project manager instead of city manager." Ohler had a long career in municipal government. He served as planning director for the smallest national Model City Program in Alma, Ga., and was city manager of Cordele, Ga. Ohler also worked for Neilan Engineering, Somerset, Pa. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana University in Indiana, Pa. Ohler served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1967. He is survived by his companion of 27 years, Elizabeth Ann Younkin; a sister, Rita Courtney Witt, of Corriganville, Md.; brothers Dean Ohler, of Erie, Pa., and Bob Courtney and Tom Courtney of Meyersdale, Pa. Ohler is also survived by two children, daughter Barbara Mesa, and husband Gilbert of El Paso, and Kenneth W. Ohler of Medford, Ore., and his former wife, Donna Parish of Las Cruces. Ohler also leaves behind three grandchildren, Emilio Mesa, Evan Mesa, and Estevan Mesa of El Paso. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Ohler, his mother, Helen Maust Ohler Courtney, and a stepfather, Robert Courtney. At Ohler's request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service is planned in Meyersdale, Pa. next summer. Memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Thomas Branigan Memorial Library. Funeral arrangements were handled by Price Funeral Home of Meyersdale, Pa. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.