Published on September 3, 2025 2:09 pm
Last Updated on September 3, 2025 2:09 pm
Lois L. Ooton, 100, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Lutheran Care Center in Altamont, IL.
A public visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. A private family graveside service will follow the visitation at Old Union Cemetery in Bible Grove, IL. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Lois was born on January 1, 1925, in Louisville, IL, the daughter of Bert C. and Dantzel (Bible) Cosner. She married Robert Jack Ooton on April 6, 1943, and he preceded her in death on May
7, 1990. Lois first owned and operated a restaurant in Hord, IL in the mid-40s, then later the Effingham Motel in the late 50s. Alongside her husband, she also started Jack’s Harley Davidson in 1966 and retired there in 2003 after 37 years. Lois was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a lifetime member of the HOG Club. She was a 4-H leader, an avid St Louis Cardinals
fan, and loved to travel.
Lois is survived by her daughters, Phyllis (Tom) Reardon of Altamont and Diana Nuxoll of Kimberling City, MO; son, Jack (Sally) Ooton of Xenia; daughter-in- law, Diane Ooton of Effingham; grandchildren, Krista Napier, Clinton Reardon, Marc Reardon, April Brewer, Natalie Denton, Sara Dickens, Lynn Steele, Angie Byers, Casey Pittman, Rachael Allen, Kendra Scott, Mellisa Gossett, Jack Ooton and Kaleb Ooton; 34 great-grandchildren; 16 great-greatgrandchildren; and brothers, Bill (Margaret) Cosner and Butch (Rita) Cosner.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; son, Robert Leon Ooton; son-in-law, Russ Nuxoll; grandchild, Mike Ooton; and great-grandchildren, Justice Steele and Ben Harrington.