Nilus B. Oyen

 Nilus B. Oyen, age 76, of Lancaster, died on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at his home in Lancaster. He was born on August 16, 1933, in Sinsinawa Mound Township, the son of Peter and Celestine (Brink) Oyen. His family moved to Potosi, where he helped on the farm and also drove milk truck for Potosi Cheese Factory. In 1948, Nilus entered the  United States Navy, serving his country until his honorable discharge. On May 16, 1953, he was united in marriage to Delores Lebben at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Tennyson. Together, the couple farmed in Potosi and in later years, they moved to Lancaster where the couple farmed and Nilus did carpenter work.

Survivors include his wife, Delores Oyen, Lancaster; eight children: Mike (Sue) Oyen, Lancaster; Peg (Bill) Bast, Lancaster; Dennis Oyen, Stitzer; Ann (Jim) Robbins, Fennimore; Steve (Kathy) Oyen, Fennimore; Sue Oyen,  Baraboo; Greg (Dee) Oyen, Fennimore; Ellen (Jay) Winkler, Lancaster; eighteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters: Eldon (Doris) Oyen, Dubuque, IA; Philip (Grace) Oyen, Potosi; Darlene (Eugene) Sabers, Dubuque, IA; Cyril (Aleise) Oyen, Potosi; LaVerne (Marlene) Oyen, Potosi; Margaret (Gerald) Eastlick, Potosi; Doris (Peter) Neis, Dickeyville; Betty (Gary) Peacock, Potosi; Ruth (Ronald) Richardson, Platteville; Jim Oyen, Potosi; Dale (Nancy) Oyen, Potosi; his sisters-in-law: Rosie Oyen, Potosi; and Rita Oyen, Lancaster.

Nilus was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Oyen, a granddaughter, Chelsie Winkler; a grandson, Jason Oyen; brothers: Harold Oyen, Ronnie Oyen, and his sister, Linda Oyen.

Funeral services were held on Friday, November 20, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father William Seipp officiating. Burial with military honors was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called on Thursday, November 19, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church, Lancaster and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services on Friday.