John Oller, 102, of Pana, died peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 in Heritage Health—Pana. He was born October 31, 1910 in Pana, the son of Frank L. & Leila Sturgeon Oller. John lived in Pana his entire life. He worked for Howard Fryhoff in Springfield, doing painting and interior decorating for churches. John's expertise was the gold leaf that you see in many churches. Also in his painting career, he developed the procedure to grain metal doors to make them look like any wood species and was proud to be a hod carrier. John retired at age 50. John loved gardening and was a master gardener. He also was a poet and wrote many poems; in fact, Tom Philips named him the Bard of Bear Creek. He loved playing horseshoes and had won several trophies. In his earlier days, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors. John had built his own log cabin on Pana Lake from sticks that he gathered, designing his own fireplace in the cabin. In his later years, he was a faithful caregiver. He visited people in the nursing home, bringing them fruits and vegetables, and enjoyed spending time and visiting with them. John was a member of the Painter's Union Local #90 and also had been a member of other painting unions in the past.
John Oller and Ruth Cummings were married on June 26, 1933 in Pana. She preceded him in death.
He is survived by his children: Barb Eilers & husband John, Pana, IL; Gary Oller & wife Claudia, Tower Hill, IL; and Carol Klein & husband Mike, Frisco, TX; 8 grandchildren: DeeAnn Carroll, Joani Etchison, Nancy Stupek, Kevin Oller, Kathy Patient, Tom Oller, Sonja Dobbs, & Philip Klein; 14 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and sister: Ruth Maier, Vandalia, OH. In addition to his wife, he was preceded by his parents; sister, Frances Lucille Oller; & brother, Paul Oller.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 11, 2013 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. with Lila Chaplin officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Pana. Friends may call on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The Humane Society of the United States, Dept MEMIT9, 2100 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20037.

Directions

Visitation: McCracken-Dean Funeral Home

Service: McCracken-Dean Funeral Home