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. on Saturday at the St. Anne's church in Edgewood, Illinois.  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