Lorene Gaumer

Lorene M. Gaumer, age 100 of Greenville, IL passed away on September 3, 2025, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois. She was born on March 5, 1925, in Wayne County, Keenes, Illinois and was the oldest of two daughters by Reedie and Hazel (nee Denny) Bozarth.

Lorene grew up on the family farm in Keenes. Growing up she attended North Lilly Grade School, then graduated from Wayne City High School in 1944. Upon graduation she worked briefly at a shoe factory in Mt. Vernon, then adventurously moved to Chicago and found employment at Union Station O’Fallon, Illinois.

During high school she met the love of her life, Basil L. Gaumer. Shortly after Basil’s military discharge they were united in marriage on December 30, 1945, and then spent the next 72 years lovingly, together in Greenville.

Over the years Lorene had worked at various local businesses such as; Illinois Bell Telephone, DeMoulin Bros. and as a cook/helper in the Greenville high school cafeteria.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Lois (nee Bozarth) Wolfe and her husband, Basil L. Gaumer, March 4, 2017.

She is survived by her son, John Gaumer and his wife, Karen (nee Jackson) Gaumer of Greenville, granddaughter Julie Ann (nee Gaumer) Geho of Azle, Texas, great grandson Phillip Geho (NAVY), great granddaughter Cortney (nee Geho) Garner, Springtown, Texas, great-great grandson Gatlin Geho, great-great granddaughters Mackenzie and Brenlei Garner.

Also, is survived by many nieces and nephews: Linda Coffey, Mary Wolfe, Marvin Wolfe, Melvin Wolfe, Martin Wolfe, Marshall Wolfe, Marion Wolfe. Betty Aona and Jacki Murphy.

Step-grandchildren: Stephanie Phillips and Emily Malan.

Step-great grandchildren: Brady Phillips, Bryce Phillips and Aiden Linnabary.

Lorene was a devoted Christian and had been a member of the Smith Grove Baptist Church since 1946. Not only was she a devoted servant to the Lord, but was known, by many, as a compassionate caregiver for many family and friends.

She enjoyed a lifetime of travel throughout the US. She also looked forward, each year, in attending her husband’s annual military gatherings of the Eighth Air Force and the 34th Bomb Group, of which he was assigned, in England, during WWII. She was an avid reader and enjoyed collecting rocks, stamps and food recipes.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the Donnell – Wiegand Funeral Home, 203 W. Oak St., Greenville, Illinois 62246.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the Donnell – Wiegand Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Mendenhall officiating.

Interment will follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery alongside her husband Basil Lee.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, her wishes were to have all expressions of sympathy be donated to the Smith Grove Baptist Church, 949 Airport Ave., Greenville, Illinois 62246.

Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Condolences and memories may be made online www.donnellwiegand.com.