Kenneth G. Oehler

1928 - 2025

Kenneth G. Oehler

September 1, 1928 - June 1, 2025

NORMAL - Kenneth G. Oehler, 96 of Normal, Ill., crossed over to his heavenly home on Sunday, June 1, 2025, after falling and breaking a hip. "Kenny" was born on September 1, 1928, to Edward and Loretta Oehler, in Stanford, Ill. He attended West Warlow Country School and graduated from Stanford High School in 1947.

Kenny began dating Lois Miller in their senior year at Stanford. They married in 1948 and began farming the Oehler farm after his father retired. Ken and "Loie" as he was fond of calling her, had two children, Rita Oehler Park (Michael) and Brad Oehler (Kelly).

Kenny and Lois farmed in the rural Stanford area for 25 years. They were Sunday school teachers and youth group leaders at Stanford Presbyterian Church. During this time Ken became a member of the local Masonic Lodge in Minier and a Shriner. The consummate farmer, he was handy at repairs, modifications, and improvising on the farm and in life in general. In the early 70s, Kenny joined his son, Brad, in a business called B&K Enginamics. The Oehlers bought a grocery store in Danvers in 1966 and served that community as Oehler's Food Mart until 1973.

At that time, Ken and Loie left central Illinois to own and operate a Tiffany's Bakery in Lafayette, Ind. There were few people who worked at Tippecanoe Mall who did not know Kenny and his outstanding cinnamon bread. Once asked by a farmer from back home how he could just go from farming to being a baker and Kenny replied as he was filling eclairs with custard, "You know, it's just like greasing a disk."

In 1994, they left the mall and opened a cafe and called it Loie's Cafe. They continued providing bakery goods, wonderful homemade meals, and catered weddings. When they sold Loie's, they accepted the position as house parents for 60 girls at the Gamma Phi Beta sorority at Purdue University. There, Kenny found his niche as kitchen director and handyman. There are still probably some Kenny innovations in the mechanics room at that sorority house. They were much loved as the Gamma Phi grandparents and received so many thank-you notes from parents who appreciated how they looked out for their daughters. It wasn't unusual for Kenny to help get a car started on a cold, snowy morning, or let the girls use one of his old cookie sheets as a sled down the hill, back of the house. During his 96 years, Kenny Oehler touched so many lives. Ken and Lois retired and returned to Normal to be close to family in 2012.

Kenny was the rock that his family was built on. A man of quiet faith, a supportive husband to the very end, a loving father, and the "funnest" PaPa and Great Grandpa. Kenny is survived by his wife of 77 years, Lois; his children, Rita and Brad; four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Since childhood, Kenny has been enamored of flying. One of his dreams came true when he earned his wings and could fly glider planes in a soaring club near Lafayette. The family agrees that Earth was much too limiting for Kenny Oehler. He has earned a new set of wings and can now soar without the need of a tow plane.

A family gathering at the grave site is being planned.

Please view the details and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com.