The Excelsior Standard, Sept. 18, 2026

Eric Van Oster

Eric Lee Van Oster, 54, a resident of Rayville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at his home. Eric was born July 4, 1972, in Richmond, the son of Lee Roy and Thelma Carline (Kinney) Van Oster. He is survived by his mother, Thelma Carline Van Oster; daughters, Anna (Joey) Cummings and Hayley Van Oster; two brothers, James (Cindy) Van Oster and Shawn (Angel) Van Oster; three grandchildren; bonus daughter, Destiny (Dylan) Deornellis; and a bonus grandchild on the way.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lee Roy Van Oster; and son, Austin Lee Van Oster.

Eric was a man that everyone knew as soon as he stepped into a room; and if you didn’t know him, you were getting ready to. He was loud and unapologetically himself. A man of many words and even more friends, he knew no stranger.

He built his company, VanOster Construction, from the ground up and earned his title of “Trim God.” A master storyteller, he told stories you wouldn’t believe, but he always had someone to back him up to prove his claim, “I ain’t lyin’. Ask!”

Eric also was a world-class raccoon hunter and wellknown black and tan breeder, but he would tell you the best dog he ever had was Sweetness, his runt of the litter from Golden Doodle.

Eric had the best goat herd all around, even raising the best nanny. Named Tick, she was more of a dog than a goat and earned her right to eat her dinner off the front porch!

He truly was one of a kind. The good Lord himself could not have cloned him. We will miss him forever. His memory will never be forgotten, as we can all still hear him as he walks into a room yelling something silly like, “Yoo-hoo” or something provocative!

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Sept. 26. Please contact the family for details.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the donor’s choice in Eric’s memory. You can leave or mail contributions to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Please visit www.thurmanfuneralhome.com to leave memories for the family.