Oliver Charles Camillo

Oliver Charles Camillo, 83, formerly of Collinsville, died peacefully at his home in Mt. Olive, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018.

A visitation and funeral mass will be held on Thursday, Jan. 18th at S.S. Peter and Paul Church in Collinsville. A Praying of the Rosary will begin at 9:30 am, followed by a visitation at 10 am and funeral mass at 11 am.

Memorials may be sent to St. John’s Adult Day Care Center, Edwardsville or any food pantry of choice.

Oliver was born Aug. 12, 1934, in St. Louis, MO, the oldest child of Oliver and Virginia Camillo. He married Maria Figueroa on Sept. 4, 1954. He died on what would have been Maria’s 83rd birthday, giving her one last birthday present by joining her in Heaven.

Oliver is survived by his seven children, Karen Bosen of Mt. Olive, Tony Camillo (Debbie) of Collinsville, Donald Camillo (Marie) of Shelby Township, MI, Joseph Camillo of Collinsville, David Camillo (Alison) of Douglasville, GA, Karla Miller of Decatur, and Charles Camillo (Jennifer) of Clinton, MS; eighteen grandchildren, Christopher Camillo (Michelle) of Glen Carbon, John Bosen (Kate) of St. Peters, MO, Joshua Bosen of Mt. Olive, Rebecca Cepaitis of Godfrey, Mandi Meier of Troy, Justin Camillo (Katelynn) of Troy, Sheree Daugherty (Franklin) of Whitestown, IN, Ashley Camillo of Naperville, Brittany Martino (Valerio) of Darien, Brent Camillo of Decatur, Joelle Camillo of Richland, KY, Logan Camillo of Douglasville, Daley and Zach Miller of Decatur, Grant Camillo of West Point, NY, and Kate, J.D. and Aidan Camillo of Clinton; eleven great-grandchildren Kaylee and Sydney Camillo of Glen Carbon, Wyatt, Brandt and Reagan Bosen of St. Peters, Aniyah Farias-Cepaitis and Brenaeh Cepaitis of Godfrey, Noah Bosen of Mt. Olive, Caden and Maci Meier of Troy, Ellie Camillo of Troy. Also surviving is Oliver’s sister Sharon Warden (Gene) of Potosi, MO.

In addition to his parents, Oliver was preceded in death by his beloved wife Maria of 56 years, his son-in-law Rodney Miller, and his brother Richard Camillo.

Oliver was born of very modest means in the midst of the Great Depression. “Ollie Boy” as he was known to family and friends, spoke fondly of childhood memories of enjoying time with his uncle Richard “Dick” Camillo and his Uncle George and Aunt Rosie Gators, all of whom served as early role models that shaped the good man that he became. Oliver later proudly served as a reservist in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an aircraft mechanic. He spent almost his entire professional career in the banking business, tirelessly and efficiently working his way up from a bank teller (where he first met Maria) to Vice President.

Having lived through some of the lean years during the Depression and the Second World War made a lasting impression on Oliver as he was not concerned with possessions or personal wealth, often choosing to sacrifice both in order to put his family first and to help others. As he and Maria raised their young family on Pennsylvania Avenue in South St. Louis, they were known to local homeless people or others who were down on their luck as someone they could count on for food if they were hungry.

Oliver’s life was a testament to faith, family and humanity.

A devout Roman Catholic, Oliver enjoyed attending Mass and praying the Rosary to the blessed Virgin Mary. He taught through example the importance of being generous to others and to paying homage to

God the Father. Oliver was quick to drop on his knees and pray for others when the need arose. He often sought comfort and guidance in praying to St. Joseph in matters related to fatherhood.

His life centered on his children and grandchildren. He was at his happiest during the family’s annual two-week camping trips to the Big Springs and the Current River in Van Buren, MO, where he enjoyed beautiful scenery, fudge sickles, inner tubing, and evading skunks, and his annual fishing trips with his friends at the Dover Boy’s Fishing Club. He enjoyed weekend BBQ’s in the backyard while listening to Cardinals baseball games on the radio and enjoying a frosty cold one or two. He loved to tell stories of the feats Stan Musial, the Cardinals-Browns World Series of 1944, the orneriness of Bob Gibson and simply marveled at the athletic feats of Ozzie Smith. He was also fond of a good John Wayne movie or any Western and a nice long Sunday afternoon nap in his recliner. But most of all, Oliver and Maria together loved watching their children participate in sporting events, particularly the Friday night lights action of high school football.

Most who knew Oliver, remember him as the friendly neighborhood banker, who enjoyed the personal side of doing business, earning him wide respect in the community. He was the “King” of a thousand jokes, some of them were even funny, but most not so much. He was a friend to all and, in this regard, he died the richest man in town.

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