Oehler Funeral Home

A modern funeral home

From the moment you walk through the doors and into the lobby of our state-of-the-art funeral home on Miner Street, you will feel welcome. Built with the needs of 21st-century families in mind, Oehler Funeral Home was designed to offer space and modern amenities.

Our flexible spaces accommodate memorial services large and small. A large reception area flooded with natural light is perfect for everything from a simple morning coffee to a themed evening party—and we even handle the catering. A charming play area for children keeps them safe and occupied. Need a sitter for a service? All you have to do is ask.

Celebrating loved ones

At Oehler Funeral Home, we create events that truly celebrate lives. Whether you seek a cremation with a champagne toast, a full traditional funeral service with a cemetery burial and a catered reception, or a creative outdoor celebration complete with a live band, favorite foods, a full bar and funeral favors, we take care of every detail.

From boating to birdwatching, guitars to golf balls, we take the things that mattered most to someone and string them together to create a singular, heartfelt memorial. That's our pledge to you.

Your friend and neighbor

Oehler Funeral Home is a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. When you choose us, you not only receive the warm, friendly care of a locally operated establishment, but also the value and benefits you deserve by way of the largest group of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers in North America.

Please contact us for immediate assistance or if you would like more information about our services.

History

Walter Oehler founded Oehler Funeral Home in 1917, a time when a funeral wake was still held in a family's home. In 1929, Walter began to encourage his clients to use the facility for funeral services as well as funeral preparation, thus helping establish a new tradition.

Many years of prosperity

For 86 years, Oehler Funeral Home prospered at 555 Lee Street, near downtown Des Plaines. Walter was active in many civic affairs, serving as chairman of the Des Plaines Centennial celebration in 1935, president of the Lions Club and a board of elders member at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was also president of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association.

In 1954, in an effort to ensure that the business would continue with the same level of compassion and professionalism after his death, Walter took 2 longtime employees as partners. Thomas J. Donovan and Robert E. Schaer continued to grow the business after Walter's passing in 1963.

In 1969, the partners doubled the size of the funeral home, and it eventually became one of the largest family-owned and -operated funeral companies in the state of Illinois.

A 21st-century move

In 2001, the city of Des Plaines embarked upon a redevelopment plan for the downtown area and asked to relocate the funeral home. Oehler Funeral Home moved to 2099 Miner Street, to a beautiful new facility that opened December 1, 2003. Photographs of Walter, Tom and Robert hang in the lobby, reminding staff and visitors alike of a long commitment to a high standard of service.

Today, Oehler Funeral Home is a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers.