Oral C. Kost, 82, of Lewistown and Sheldons Grove, Ill., died June 30, 2011, at the Mason District Hospital emergency room in Havana, Ill.

He was born May 24, 1929, in Rushville, Ill., the son of Troy and Eva (Curless) Kost. After graduating from Monmouth College in 1950, he received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Illinois in 1953.

He had the privilege of practicing law for over 58 years. He held the offices of Fulton County Public Defender, Fulton County State's Attorney and State of Illinois assistant attorney general.

He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association and National District Attorney's Association. He was the Fulton County Republican Party chairman for many years and was a 32nd-degree Mason.

He served as a reservist in the U.S. Army from 1953 through 1956.

He was very proud of his family and loved the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Shirley (Briney) Kost; five children, Karl (Pam) Kost, Keith (Beth) Kost, Karen (Chris) Baker, Kelly (Holly) Kost and Kim Kost; six stepsons, Mike (Rochelle) Briney, Marty (Joanie) Briney, Mark (Jenny) Briney, Matt (Rhonda) Briney, Milt (Ginger) Briney and Melvin (Jennifer) Briney; 28 grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 24 years, Edna Mae (Wilner) Kost, and his parents.

He will be fondly remembered as a gentleman, a man of great integrity and loyalty.