Oliver "Ollie" Grammer

On April 19th, 2026, Oliver Grammer, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-grandfather passed away peacefully at the age of 97 at the Illinois Veterans Nursing Home in Anna, Illinois (with Military Honors). Oliver was born in Pomona, Illinois on June 24, 1928, to Ardell and Dora (Fleming) Grammer. Oliver graduated from University High School (Carbondale, Illinois) in 1947. Oliver initially worked on his father’s farm near Pomona, Illinois, but joined the U.S. Army in 1950 during the Korean War. “Ollie” quickly excelled in the 990th Signal Operations Corps. based at Camp Gordon near Augusta, Georgia. Following an Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1952, Ollie had several jobs where he utilized his exceptional mechanical skills, but found his career with General Telephone and Electronics (GTE) as a Transmission Technician. After obtaining a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license, Ollie specialized in electronics repair and design. A career that saw rapid technological advancements through land line telephone communications, microwave transmission of audio and video signals and ultimately the onset of the cellular communication service. Ollie had the reputation among his co-workers and those that knew him of “There’s nothing he can’t fix”. He was a “Perfectionist”. Everything he did was far and away above the normal , and nothing ever seemed to be good enough and needed improvement. He was a hardworking man with an exceptional attention to the smallest details. Ollie obtained his Amateur “Ham” Radio license in 1957 and was assigned the call sign of K9KZC. He was extremely proud of this achievement and was constantly building, designing and rigging radio systems in his basement, motorhome and every vehicle he owned. Ollie was passionate about this hobby and spent time listening to various group conversations of other local “Ham” radio enthusiasts, and communicated on with others around the globe in distant countries. Ollie acquired his pilot’s license in the mid-60’s and subsequently bought an airplane which he enjoyed very much. After owning a few different airplanes, it was sold in preparation for He and Martha to purchase property and build their “forever-home” in the country south of Murphysboro. He also spent time restoring and rebuilding tractors, excavators, and repaired any, and everything that ever needed “fixed”. All of this, without a college degree. Simply his exceptional understanding and knowledge of all things technical, electrical, and mechanical. Ollie enjoyed playing the electric guitar, steel guitar and sing. He enjoyed playing the old country songs by Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings just to name a few. Again, this was something he taught himself to do early in life, and continued into his 90’s. Oliver met Martha Jane Nausley (of Murphysboro) and they married on July 10th, 1954, and raised their only son, Daryl. Ollie and Martha loved to camp and spent many years camping and fishing with other family members and friends throughout the years. They spent time watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games, old western TV shows, and Sunday morning sermons. Both were devoted dog lovers and owned a dog throughout their entire lives. They included their dog in everything; camping, flying, visiting with family, and trips to town. Later in life, their miniature black poodle “Muffin” was the love of their lives and a true source of enjoyment. Oliver shared his love of camping with his Grandchildren Madison, and Marshall when they were young, and was introduced to his first and only Great-Grandson Sawyer Scott Overby in December of 2022. Oliver was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Martha Jane (Nausley), his mother Dora (Fleming), Father Ardell Grammer, Brother Ray (Claudean) Grammer, Sister Delores (Bo) Stearns, Sister Sybil (Lawrence) Littlejohn, and Sister Marie Grammer. Ollie is survived by Son Daryl, Daughter-in-Law Teri (Tish) Grammer, Granddaughter Madison (Bradford) Overby (Benton, Kentucky), Grandson Marshall (Carlye) Grammer (Benton, Kentucky), Great-Grandson Sawyer Scott Overby (Benton, Kentucky), Nephew Gary (Olga) Grammer, and Nieces Pamela LaReau (Plano, Texas), and Pat (Mike) Scott (Pineville, Louisiana). A memorial service will be held Thursday April 30, 2026, at Crain Pleasant Grove – Murdale Funeral Home at 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois 62966. Visitation will open at 11a.m., Funeral Service to begin at 12 p.m., and interment to follow immediately. Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Oliver "Ollie" Grammer

June 24, 1928 - April 19, 2026