Ernest Julian Oetgen "E.J.", of Bloomingdale, GA, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Memorial Health Hospital.  Julian was born on May 8, 1962 in Savannah, GA to the late Frank E. Oetgen, Sr. and Muriel Nelson Oetgen.  He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, E.J. & Katherine N. Oetgen, James & Elsie Nelson, a brother, Jimmy Oetgen, and a special aunt and uncle, Irene and Woodrow Wilson (Jerry) Norrington; aunt, Katherine O. Woods; and cousin, Holly Woods.   Julian took after his father and was a merchant seaman for a short time before becoming self-employed in the dirt hauling business.  He loved cars and racing, especially at Oglethorpe Speedway.  Survivors include his daughter, Julie Huffstetler (Zach); step-daughter, Chelli Morgan; brother, Frank E. Oetgen, Jr.; uncle, John Woods; cousins near and far (across the pond) including Jackie Harvey (Michael), Caroline Lindner (Don), Lori Sancomb (Bill), Gary Oetgen (Tracey), Eric Oetgen, Kelly Oetgen Jeffries, David Burnett (Maureen), Richard Burnett, Susan Burnett, Rev. Gerald Norrington (Shirley), Johnny Woods (Sissy); aunt, Sydney Oetgen; and close friend, Joe Brown, and many more, and his beloved dog, Shorty.  The visitation will be on Monday, June 12, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  The graveside funeral and burial will follow at 12 noon at Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery located at 1600 Wheaton Street in Savannah.  Rev. Gerald Norrington, cousin of Julian Oetgen, will be officiating.  The active pallbearers will be Danny Litchfield, Chad Litchfield, John Edwards, Brandon Hullete, Charles Swann, and Mark Grier.  The honorary pallbearers will be Ryan Wills, Chad Wills, and Michael Harvey.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 340 Eisenhower Drive #1103, Savannah, GA  31406 or to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY  10016-5337.  Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes – WEST CHATHAM CHAPEL – 901 W. Hwy. 80 – Pooler, GA (912) 748-2444