Dr. Russell L. Oyer, 97, Bloomington, died at 3:58 am, Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Mennonite Church of Normal, 805 South Cottage Avenue, Normal, IL 61761, a luncheon reception will follow immediately. Memorials may be made to Bluffton University, J.S. and Sara Schultz Scholarship Fund, 1 University Drive, Bluffton, OH 45817. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home in Chenoa is assisting the family with arrangements.

Russell was born on September 27, 1920 in rural Tazewell County near Morton Illinois, a son of Peter W. Oyer & Ada Viola Sann. He married Lora Schultz on June 24, 1944 in Bluffton, Ohio.  She preceded him in death on November 20, 2015.

Surviving are; three sons, Frederick S. (Darlene) Oyer of Inverness, Rodney A. (Susan) Oyer of Arlington, TX and Joel T. (Linda) Oyer of Tyler, TX; 5 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Arthur Oyer and one sister, Margret (Oyer) Mosiman.

After practicing medicine for more than 42 years, 37 of which were in Chenoa Illinois, he retired in 1990, when he was in his seventieth year.  Russell enjoyed writing as a means of personal expression as he attempted to cope with various experiences of life. He wrote out of his own interest in trying to discover and to ponder ultimate meaning.  Over the years, both he and Lora were actively involved in school, community and church affairs. Among many acknowledgments of his commitment to community service, he was recognized by the Illinois State Medical Society for his service to school athletics.

Russ was a loving husband for over 71 years, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather, he will be dearly missed.