Steve F. Ohler

Stephen F. "Steve" Ohler, age 92, of Oquawka, Illinois; passed away at 5:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Courtyard Estates in Monmouth, Illinois. He was born on February 17, 1925 in Kirkwood, Illinois, the son of Louis E. and Gretchen (Pease) Ohler. Steve was reared and educated in Kirkwood and Oquawka areas and graduated from Oquawka High School in 1944. Steve proudly served his Country with the United States Army in the South Pacific as a salvage diver and landing boat operator. On February 20, 1946, he married Betty Hanson in Monmouth, Illinois and she preceded him in death on May 24, 2012. Steve and Betty enjoyed traveling and spent many winters together on the Island of Maui, HI. Together, they made a number of trips with his brother and sister-in-law, John and Marilyn Ohler, researching family history in the east. In civilian life, Steve served the Corp of Engineers Rock Island District as Lock Master of Lock and Dam 18 at Gladstone, IL, retiring in 1987. While employed with the Corps, Steve also served as the head diver. He was self-employed as a diver on the Mississippi River and once dove under the Delta Queen River Boat to remove a log that was lodged in the paddle wheel of the vessel. Steve was a member and Past Commander of the VFW Post in Gladstone, IL and was later a member of the VFW Post in Monmouth. He served on the Oquawka Town Board, the Oquawka Volunteer Fire Department, and as the Oquawka Zoning Officer. He was a member and Past Master of Oquawka Masonic Lodge #123. Steve was a member of the Oquawka United Methodist Church. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and helping others. Steve is survived by two daughters; Linda (Mike) Dooley of Oquawka, Illinois and Patte (Mark) Shallenberger of Monmouth , Illinois, one son, Louis (Jeralyn) Ohler of Oquawka, Illinois, grandsons; Erik (Joanna) Ferguson, Kyle (Jenna) Ferguson, Zachary (Jen) Ohler, and Seth (Jaclyn) Shallenberger, great-grandchildren; Ethan, Grace, Max, and Greta Ferguson and Marissa, Mia, and Zoey Ohler. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, John and Marilyn Ohler of Valparaiso, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents and wife Betty.