Roger Dale Oltman, 92, of Sycamore, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on June 17, 2026.

He was born on March 19, 1934, in Adams, Nebraska, to William "Bill" and Ruth (Harper) Oltman. A 1951 graduate of Sycamore High School, Roger went on to marry Joyce Carolyn Bolander, on September 13, 1953, in Sycamore. Together, they built a beautiful life, a lasting family, and a home rooted in the community. Roger was a dedicated, long-time member of the Mayfield Congregational Church, UCC, in Sycamore.

Roger spent many years working in construction, leaving a tangible legacy on the local landscape. He built numerous homes and prominent public structures in the area, including Saint Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church in Genoa, Illinois, and several buildings on and around the Northern Illinois University campus. His skill also contributed to the foundational concrete work for Fermilab, the construction of the iconic Main Street Bridge in St. Charles, and a major expansion of his beloved Mayfield Church. In the early 1970s, Roger returned to his roots in farming, a calling he pursued for the remainder of his life.

Roger's interests and hobbies were as vast as they were varied. In his youth, he competed as a Golden Gloves boxer. As an adult, he practiced leatherworking, enjoyed hunting, reading, and gardening, flew ultralight aircraft, and deeply appreciated Native American history and crafting. Above all, Roger had a lifelong passion for horses and the thrill of horse racing.

He is survived by his six children:
● Janice (John) Wylde of Clare, IL
● Mark (Lisa) Oltman of Sycamore, IL
● Jean (Paul) Meier of DeKalb, IL
● Kent (Colleen) Oltman of Oregon, IL
● Troy (Cassie) Oltman of Sycamore, IL
● Jill (David) Simpson of Shabbona, IL
He also leaves behind a proud legacy of 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Roger was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Oltman; his parents, Bill and Ruth Oltman; his parents-in-law, John and Wilma Bolander; his son, Luke William Oltman; his daughter-in-law, Carolyn Oltman; his brothers, Sam and John Oltman; his brothers-in-law, Sherman Bolander and Clinton Lyons; and his sisters-in-law, Doris Bolander and Marjie Lyons.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 25, at Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave, Sycamore, IL, 5:00-8:00 pm.

Roger's Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 26 at 2:00 pm at Mayfield Congregational Church, 28405 Church Rd, Sycamore, IL.   Burial will be at Mayfield Twp Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Mayfield Congregational Church, UCC.

To sign the online guest book or share a memory, go to http://www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com