Bernard L Oltman

Born January 29, 1926 in Pekin to Herman J. and Jenny M. (Manhusen) Oltman, he married Helen Jane Condis on December 25, 1954 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Stephen Thomas (Cynthia E.) Oltman and Jonathan Wayne Oltman; two grandsons, Christopher Thomas Oltman and Michael Louis Oltman; and two sisters, Mardell Ruth Silveus of Metropolis and Mary Kathleen Thorne of Pekin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son (Timothy Kris Oltman), and one brother (John William Oltman).

A United States Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he attained the rank of First Lieutenant.

He was a 1944 graduate of Pekin Community High School and later attended Monmouth College in Monmouth and Central College in Pella, Iowa. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Denver in 1950 and his Juris Doctorate from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1957.

A lawyer since 1957, Bernard practiced in Pekin for many years with his private law practice located at 901 Broadway in Pekin.

Bernard was elected as the Tazewell County State's Attorney for two terms from 1964 to 1972. In 1973, he was appointed assistant city attorney for Pekin, a position he held for many years under four different mayors. He also was a special assistant Illinois Attorney General for the Department of Transportation and Department of Conservation. In early years, he was elected police magistrate from 1959 to 1962 and later was appointed magistrate by the circuit judge. He was also an instructor of law at Illinois Central College in East Peoria.

He was a member of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Pekin, where he was a past member of the vestry. He was past president and board member of the Pekin Boys' Club, and was awarded the Boys' Club Medallion. He also was a member of Empire Lodge #126 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Pekin and was involved in many local organizations throughout the years including the Moose Lodge, Elk's Lodge, and AMVETS.

A history enthusiast, Bernard enjoyed reading and being with family.

His funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2007at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Pekin. Father Brian T. Kellington will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel where Masonic rites will be held at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 411 Washington Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Second Reformed Church, 600 State Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Prairie State Legal Services, 331 Fulton Street, Suite 600, Peoria, IL 61602, or the charity of the donor's choice.