Lyle Dee Ozment

PITTSBURG - Lyle Dee Ozment, 71, passed away at 6:55 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2013, at his home with his wife by his side. Services for Mr. Ozment will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, in Heartland Christian Church in Marion, with the Revs. Tim Ozment, Jim Lambert and Gary Clark officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Paulton. There will be two separate visitations, one from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Blue Funeral Home in Marion and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the church. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements. Dee was born in Williamson County to Oral and Mabel (Handkins) Ozment on Friday, Sept. 5, 1941. On Friday, May 31, 1963, he married Dianne Rogers at the Freewill Baptist Church in Johnston City. They were just shy of reaching their Golden Anniversary. Mr. Ozment is survived by his loving wife, Dianne; children, Robyn and Joseph Liska IV, of New Port Richey, Fla., Rindy and Justin Nehrkorn of Marion and Richard and Ashleigh Ozment of Marion; grandchildren, Joseph Liska, V, Marleigh Dianne Ozment and Maximus Dee Ozment; siblings, Janet McCoy of Lake of Egypt and Alan and Katie Ozment of Collinsville; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Dee was preceded in death by his parents, Oral and Mabel; siblings, Donald Ozment and Vivian Hoffman. Mr. Ozment retired from a career in education after 41 years. He served as teacher, principal, superinten-dent and mentor to countless students throughout the community. Dee was also president of the Williamson County Retired Teachers Association. Mr. Ozment enjoyed playing and singing Gospel music, which lead him to becoming a founding member of Glorylanders Quartet. The group was established in 1959 and still travels and performs today. Dee was also president of the Illinois State Quartet Convention, now in its 44th year. He was a member and music director of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church and Oasis Community Church of the Nazarene. Dee was a devoted husband and father who loved his family, and especially his grandchildren.