Ozma J. Karch, 79 of Aledo, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 19, 2024, at her home, with her family by her side. Funeral services will be 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 25, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Aledo. Visitation will be on Thursday, prior to services, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the church. Graveside services will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 26, at Mt. Zion Township Cemetery, Mt. Zion, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, is in charge of arrangements.
Ozma Jean was born January 26, 1945, in Rock Island, Illinois, to Virgil “Stub” and Navola B. (Bivens) Schmidt. She married Donald Karch on August 6, 1967, in Mt. Zion.
Oz was a loan officer with the Land of Lincoln Credit Union in Decatur prior to retirement. While living in Decatur, Oz was a member of the Boiling Springs Church of God where she taught Sunday School. She also did singing telegrams with Balloons a Bloomin. After retirement and relocating to Aledo, Oz became a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church where she was very active in prayer and bible study groups. She also was a volunteer for Aledo Main Street for many years. In her spare time, Oz enjoyed antiquing, playing cards, tending her flowers, scrapbooking, and decorating her home. She cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren and with her sisters, especially at the cabin.
Oz’s memory will be cherished by her husband, Don; children, Jeana and Scott Ring of Manchester, Missouri, and Heath Karch of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Alexandra Ring and Owen Ring; sister and brother-in-law: Gayle and Rusty Thomas of Owosso, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James Schmidt, sisters, Jacklyn Nation and Marsha ‘Marti’ Thompson; and brother-in-law, Dave Thompson.