Oren Lockhart

Oren G. Lockhart, 70, of Skyline Springs, IL passed away at 12:41 A.M. on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL.

Private memorial services will be held at the Fields Church in Mattoon, IL.  Pastor Travis Spencer will officiate.   The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Oren was born on July 29, 1950 in Rantoul, IL.   He was the son of Flores Edwin and Dorothy June (Ford) Lockhart.   He married Gina Elaine Davis on May 2, 2002 in Gatlinburg, TN.

Oren is survived by his wife, Gina; two daughters, Erin Spurgeon and her husband Ronnie of Mattoon, IL and Andrea Gilbert and her husband Shane of Mahomet, IL; two stepdaughters, Shonnie Booker of Charleston, IL and Sophie Overton and her husband Cody of Mattoon, IL; eight grandchildren, Dylan, Aidan and Jackson Spurgeon, Madelyn, Mitchell and Ava Gilbert and Lilly and Brooks Overton and one stepsister, Janie McGraw and her husband Lloyd of Miamisburg, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Oren was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War.  He also served in the Army National Guard.

He attended The Fields Church in Mattoon, IL, he was currently serving as Commander of the Mattoon American Legion Post 88.   Oren was a member of the Trident Foundation and he was a founding member of the Coles County Dive Team.  He was also a member of the American Legion Riders Motorcycle Club and the Blue Knights Police Motorcycle Club.

Oren began serving the city of Mattoon as a firefighter on January 16, 1973.   He moved up through the ranks of driver, captain, chief and director of fire safety before retiring on January 1, 2002.   After he retired from the Mattoon Fire Department, Oren became a Coles County Sheriff’s Officer, he was instrumental in setting up the security systems at the Coles County Court House in Charleston, IL.

Oren was an avid fisherman and diver.   He enjoyed woodworking, beekeeping, motorcycle riding and just spending time outdoors, he especially liked hummingbirds and orioles.  His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Camp New Hope.