...wienermobile rolls out for little oscar's funeral...

April 20, 2005, 2:07PM

Wienermobile rolls out for Little Oscar's funeral

Associated Press

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — When mourners began singing "Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener" during George Molchan's funeral, they meant no disrespect.

Molchan, who died Tuesday at 82, portrayed the meat processor's spokesman, Little Oscar, for more than three decades, traveling from town to town in the company's Wienermobile to appear in parades and supermarkets.

The 27-foot-long Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was parked Saturday near Molchan's grave at a cemetery in Merrillville, drawing smiles from dozens attending his memorial.

Before priests said the final prayers over Molchan's casket, about 50 mourners sang a chorus of the Oscar Mayer jingle and then blew short blasts on miniature, hot dog-shaped whistles.

Molchan was a bookkeeper for Pepsi Cola Co. when "Wizard of Oz" munchkin actor Meinhardt Raabe convinced him to try out for the role of Little Oscar, according to Molchan's brother, Elmer.

The character was created in the 1930s by company founder Oscar Mayer to help market its products. Molchan played Little Oscar with relish for 36 years.

"He was just a terrific guy. He's the uncle you always wanted," said Bruno Lis, who is married to Molchan's niece.

lifted from The Houston Chronicle