August 31, 1939 – April 26, 2026
Richard Douglas “Doug” Oliver, age 86, of Newton, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 11:02 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Stonebridge in Olney, Illinois, with daughters and sons-in-law by his side.
Funeral services celebrating Doug’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Rick Britton officiating. The burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM – Thursday, April 30, 2026, and again from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, at the funeral home. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Richard Douglas “Doug” Oliver was born on August 31, 1939, in Lyon County, Kentucky, the youngest of eight children of Floyd Earl Oliver and Maggie Mae (Thompson) Oliver. He grew up in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, then moved back to Lamasco, Kentucky, and graduated from Caldwell County High School. On September 30, 1959, Doug married the love of his life Marvadean Oller, in Shawneetown, Illinois. To this union three children were born, Terri Renee, Keith Douglas and Lisa Diane. His beloved wife, Marvadean passed away on March 16, 1999, and his only son Keith passed away on January 27, 2013.
Doug worked his entire life in construction for the union doing the job of civil engineer and project manager. Some of his most memorable jobs include Barkley Dam, Newton Power Plant, Marble Hill Nuclear Power Plant and The Big Dig underwater tunnel in Boston. He spent his life working hard to provide for his family, including his extended family, helping them when they needed it. He had a love of bird hunting, bird dogs, golf and Kentucky Wildcat basketball. Many holidays were spent in Kentucky with family and hunting. Doug loved his family with all his heart; he would go to the ends of the earth to help and protect them. He was well known in Jasper County as Papa Doug and the best brownie maker around. He loved to dance and if given the chance he would do the twist with whoever he could get on the dance floor!
After a diagnosis of dementia, things were never the same for Doug. He was able to stay at home until last year when the transition to Stonebridge memory care was made. His best friends were Randy Goble and Pat Shew or as we called them the 3 musketeers. Doug now resides in the best place ever with our Heavenly Father. We would like to thank Stonebridge Memory Care, all the workers, residents and their families, for becoming family over the past year. We could not have asked for better care for dad.
Doug is survived by:
Daughters – Terri (Gary) Wolf of Wheeler, Illinois and Lisa (Alan) Rauch of Newton, Illinois
Grandchildren – Dr Adam (Brooke) Wolf, Ross (Lynn) Wolf, Blake (Crystal) Wolf, Taylor (John) Kater, Bob Rauch, Madalyn Rauch (fiancé Domink Utley), Zach Oliver and Caleigh Oliver
Great Grandchildren – Parker Wolf, Drake Wolf, Mabry Wolf, Eli Wolf, Emery Wolf, Mathis Wolf, Reese Wolf, Maeve Wolf, Mason Stanciu, Maverick Stanciu, Jaxson Kater, Kennedy Oliver, Chase Torres and Charolette Torres
Special Niece – Phyllis Sue Garland
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son Keith Oliver, siblings Herbert Oliver, Bobby Dale Oliver, R.B. Oliver, Bessie Banister, Maggie Earle Gray, Marie Oliver and Christine Castle.
