Karen J. Oaks

Karen J. Oaks, 84, of Monmouth, IL passed away at 5:14 pm, Thursday, December 28, 2023 at the Roseville Nursing and Rehab Center, Roseville, IL.

Karen was born April 18, 1939 in Danville, IL, the daughter of Jack and Kathryn (Hickman) Sellers.  She was raised and educated in Danville, graduating from Danville High School in 1957.  She later graduated from the Vermillion County Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1960.

Karen married Laurance R. Oaks on January 21, 1962 in Danville, IL and he died March 14, 1999.

She worked as a Registered Nurse beginning at Monmouth Nursing Home. She advanced working in management as the director of Quality Assurance for Care Management Inc.  Karen and Larry moved to Texas in 1991 where she was the Director of Nursing at Retama Manor in Rio Grande City, TX, retiring in 2010.

She was a member of the Monmouth United Methodist Church, Altrusa, Rebekah, Eastern Star and the Alpha Phi Sorority.  She was also a member of the Monmouth American Legion Auxiliary.  She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, she was an animal lover and loved spending time at Lake Warren and “playing” cards with her friends.

Survivors include her children, Susan (Paul) Bubb of Macomb, IL, Margaret LeMay of Boise, ID, William Oaks of Nashville, TN, Jayne (Rob) Payne of Nashville, TN, Melissa “Muffy” Oaks of Monmouth and Stefanie (Brian) O’Neill of St. Charles, MO; 10 grandchildren, Kallan Bubb, Katie Smith, Ashleigh Engstrom, Jayme Blanton, Diedrich Von Tungeln, Gabrielle Lopez, Patrick O’Neill, Caitlyn Payne, Nicole Seward and Natalie Divan; 13 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.   

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 2 brothers, Jack Sellers and Mark Jeffries.

Graveside services will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth, IL.  Memorials may be given to Karen J. Oaks Memorial Fund and sent to the funeral home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL, is in charge of the arrangements.  For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com