Allen J. Oehlert 1947-2012

Beloved husband, dad, grandpa, Allen J. Oehlert, JD, 65, of Chatham, died December 30, 2012 at his home. He was born June 3, 1947 in Melrose Park, IL to Walter J. and Dorothy Welch Oehlert. He married Sara Lamos on June 5, 1971, was a devoted and loving husband, and she survives. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Sara; he was a great dad to four children, Matthew (Amie) Oehlert of Denver, CO, Elizabeth (Vladimir) Avila of Chicago, Emily (Aaron) Dufrene of Buffalo, NY and Katherine (Phillip) Galloway of Springfield; he was a doting, loving grandpa to seven grandchildren, Marcelina, Gus and Amelia Oehlert, Lucas Avila, Finn and Sophia Dufrene and Seraphina Galloway; brother-in-law, Mark (Jerry Jones) Lamos of Sherman, CT; and his beloved dogs, Burt and Madison. He was a caring, giving man, a true and loyal friend. He lived life to the fullest, loved to laugh and his family was his greatest treasure.

Allen was a member of Historic Grace Lutheran Church, and former Vice President of the Congregation. He was former legal counsel for the Central / Southern Illinois Synod. His hobbies included photography, cooking, gardening, canoeing and hiking. He was a member of the Springfield Photography club and the Studio on 6th Artist Co-op. Allen was an attorney and Law Librarian at the Legislative Reference Bureau. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Historic Grace Lutheran Church Trust, the American Heart Association or the YMCA of the Rockies.