Oliver D. Bair

Oliver “Ollie” Darrell Bair, age 85, of Trenton, IL, died Saturday, September 26, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL. He was born July 20, 1941, in Hartford, IL, son of the late Ervin and Sarah (nee Stearns) Bair.

On December 6, 1961, Ollie married his first wife, Suellen (nee Thurman) Bair in Trenton, IL and she preceded him in death on February 8, 1965.

Ollie is survived by Marie Lillian (nee Pfeffer) Bair, of Trenton, whom he married on October 27, 1967, at St. John United Church of Christ in Trenton; his children: Marsha (John) Fox of Louisville, KY, Timothy (Cheryl) Bair of Trenton, IL, Darrell (Darla) Bair of O’Fallon, IL, Susan (David) Peterson of St. Petersburg, FL, Lana (Jarrod) Tobin of Trenton, IL; his grandchildren: Charles (Jenelle) Bair, Nicholas (Karlyn) Bair, Taylor (Anthony) Bennett, Chelsea (William) Simmons, Meghan (Martin) Tompkins, Dylan (Joshua) Roskowski, Gabrielle (Michael) Scott, Evan Bair, Sydney Bair, Kaeden Tobin; his great-grandchildren: Natalia and Jaxon Bair, Cora and Lennon Bair, Austen and Rory Bennett, Skylar and Amari Simmons, Douglas Tompkins, Jamison and Amelia Roskowski, and John and Jacob Scott; siblings: Duane (Linda) Bair, Donald Bair, Bonnie Bair, Larry (Charlotte) Bair; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Loretta Bair, Dorothy Bair, Dixie Thurman, Jeanette Kunz, Mary Ann Brokering, Larry (Carol) Pfeffer, Eileen (Joe) Martin; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Sarah Bair; parents-in-law, Ralph and Evelyn Thurman and Leo and Marion Pfeffer; his siblings: twins John and Jacquiline Bair, Jo (Ed) Payne, Harold (Rosalie) Bair, Mike Bair, Gary Bair; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Betty Bair, Patricia Bair, Oscar Ellison, Jerry Thurman, William Kunz, Joe Brokering; and nieces and nephews.

In high school, Oliver worked at many jobs: baling hay for farmers, gardening, mowing lawns, delivering the Belleville newspaper, making donuts at Hill’s Bakery in New Baden, station attendant at Bair’s Service Station, and the dry cleaners at Scott Air Force Base.

As soon as he graduated from Wesclin High School, he enlisted in the Navy in May 1960 until March 1964. After he was discharged from the Navy, he worked for Granite City Steel, Klasing Motors, and as a truck driver for Bauer Concrete and Complete Auto Transit.

Ollie loved fishing at Horseshoe Lake and fishing, camping and hunting at Carlyle Lake and surrounding areas. He will be remembered for his fried fish, smoked ribs, pork steaks and chili.

Ollie was generous with his time, always willing to lend a helping hand to family and friends, using his vast knowledge and many skills. Even in death, he gave of himself by donating to Mid-America Transplant.

He loved being surrounded by his children, grandchildren, sisters and brothers and many loved ones. His eyes lit up when visited by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Trenton. A private interment will follow.

Visitation will be Friday, October 2, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Trenton.

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Ainad Shriners, or St. John United Church of Christ and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 105 S. Main St. Trenton, IL 62293, who is serving the family.