Cheerful Coldwater man cleans up town

COLDWATER - Cleaning up the community he calls home is Jordan Osterfeld's idea of a day well spent.

People often see him cleaning up the streets with a smile on his face and waving at passing pedestrians. When not working at McSober's Saloon, Osterfeld, 30, who has special needs, likes to spend his time riding his bike around town, collecting litter from the streets as he goes.

He calls himself a people person, saying likes to be downtown, talking to people he knows and waving as others walk by.

The best part of his day is spent working at McSober's with his friends, he said. He has bean working at the saloon for about seven years through the CA Group, which provides services to people with disabilities in Mercer, Auglaize and Darke counties and the surrounding area.

Osterfeld always arrives at work with a smile on his face, ready to work, owner Trent Boeckman said.

Osterfeld recently was picking up cigarette butts in front of the entrance to the tavern by using a screwdriver to remove them from the cracks.

"He's always happy when he's cleaning up trash," his friend Dan Rue said, smiling.

Cleaning is just one of his many responsibilities at McSober's. He helps the business get ready for the day by filling the ice bin, napkin containers and putting out the ketchups, Boeckman said.

Osterfeld's positive attitude and bright smile are contagious and rub off on his co-workers and the customers, Boeckman said as Osterfeld helped clean a table.

He makes friends with everybody he meets.

"Everybody that comes in here knows who he is. He likes being around people. You go ask anybody, and they're going to tell you a story about him," he added.

At home, his mom Sue Osterfeld considers him a role model for his three sisters and two brothers and is a blessing to his family.

"He's turned into God's greatest gift. God knew I needed him," she added.

His desire for cleanliness started at a young age, his mom said and she remembered him always picking up his toys when he was done playing and making the bed for when she forgot.

As the caring person he is, Jordan Osterfeld said he often goes out of his way to help his neighbors by the mowing their lawn and do other chores.

"He just loves to make people happy," Sue Osterfeld said. "Jordan is our role model. He treats people the way we all wants to be treated."

Being a big sports fan, Osterfeld said he enjoys going to as many Coldwater High School games as possible, no matter if they're playing at home or on the road.

All the players and coaches love Osterfeld and treat him like family, athletic director Eric Goodwin said.

"Everyone embraces him with open arms. He shows up to any game," he said, adding Osterfeld's positive attitude helps the players perform better.