Dr. Lawrence Gehl Oder (81) of Mason

Dr. Lawrence Gehl Oder, age 81, of Mason, Illinois passed away at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 27 at the St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Edgewood. A private burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery. Father Marek Kasperczuk will be officiating.

Lawrence was born Aug 13, 1935 on the family farm in rural Effingham County. He was the youngest of nine children of Chester Raleigh and Lola Oder.

Lawrence is survived by his wife Eva (Alberternst) Oder. Sybil Etchason is his only surviving sibling. Lawrence is survived by his two children Jeff Oder (wife Colene) of Mason and Katrina Mackey (husband Jimmy) of Kansas City whom he shared with former spouse Jean (Summann) Oder who also survives. Larry has four grandchildren Landon Oder, Clayton Oder, Josselyn Mackey and Dylan Mackey.

Larry was a graduate of Altamont High School and was a Korean War veteran. He graduated from the University of Illinois medical school in 1963 and practiced medicine until his retirement in September 1997. During his practice he often volunteered his professional services including a tour in Vietnam, Nicaragua, and services on the Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona. The following was presented to him as a retirement gift:   We salute You, Dr. Oder

                                                                For all that you have done

                                                    You have made some real intensive work

                                                                    Seem like a lot of fun

                                                              We are sad to see you put away

                                                          Your scalpel and sutures and such

                                                     And we are going to miss those little talks

                                                              You helped us learn so much

                                                       An upscale Doctor, a Surgeon at that

                                                                 None finer we could meet

                                                        A head full of knowledge, a heart of gold.

                                                         And a touch that is healing and meek.

                                                          You left us once but then came back

                                                                You said you were here to stay

                                                                We will not let a little thing

                                                                 Like retirement keep you away

                                                       Go ride that tractor and make that sausage

                                                              And have some down home brew

                                                              Live the good life while you can

                                                              And know our hearts go with you.

                                                                                                  Dixie Merrill

                                                                                                    10/20/97