Lavern A. Oatman

LaVern A. Oatman, age 69, was born on February 12, 1952, in Granite City, IL.  She entered into eternal rest on Sunday, January 23rd at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO, after a long and tenacious battle with pancreatic cancer.

LaVern was a graduate of Collinsville High School and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where she received a Bachelors and Masters degree.  She was a beloved educator in the Collinsville School District for more than 20 years.  Her students were her life, and teaching was her passion.  She loved teaching so much that she continued to substitute teach for many years after her retirement, where she continued to touch her student's lives.  Another passion of hers was singing, and she performed many places including for the Italian Fest and Horseradish Fest in Collinsville.  She especially loved to sing like Patsy Cline.  She loved volunteering her time whether it was leading music for VBS, working various food drives, or singing for different charitable organizations.  She served with her whole heart.  Her family was everything, and she enjoyed spending time with her treasured grandkids whom she loved to spoil.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wanda and Ralph Lassen; brother, Delmar Lassen; nephew, James Althardt and niece, Debbie Lassen.

She is survived by her children, Christopher Oatman, Melissa Oatman, Mary (David) Lowe; grandchildren, Christopher Moore, Allison Moore, David Lowe, III and Virginia (Ginna) Lowe; ex-husband and lifelong friend, Michael Oatman; brother, Ralph (Helen) Lassen, Pat (Albert) Althardt, Susie (Richard) Althardt and Connie Fischer.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; also surviving are many dear friends who were like family.

We would like to say a special thank you to all of her family and friends who supported her as she fought so bravely in this tough battle.  A special thanks to: Lori Billy, Michele Stutts, Donna Hanson, Sandy Snyder, Tori Perez and Connie Fischer.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 28th from 3:00-8:00pm at Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home in Collinsville, IL.

The Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 29th at 11:00am at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, IL.

There will be no graveside service.

Donations can be made to the family.

Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.