Mona Lynn Oller Brake, a New Year's Day baby born in New Orleans, LA, was welcomed into heaven on the wings of angels on Friday, August 6, 2021.  She was 56 years old when her courageous battle with cancer ended.  Mona's loved ones will continue to honor her legacy by living life to the fullest.  Her family was blessed to have been able to care for her at home.

Mona graduated from Morton High School, Morton, Illinois, in 1983 and completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1989.  She completed her police academy training in 1992 and was subsequently hired as a deputy for the Madison County Sheriff's Department in Illinois.  Mona was promoted to Sergeant with the Madison County Sheriff's department in 2004.

She was the best story teller.   We all love the tales of her days as a deputy sheriff which only Mona could recant with her infectious laugh.   Mona's stories will continue to be treasured moments at family gatherings.

Mona retired from the Madison County Sheriff's department in October 2006 and moved to Willard, MO to be close to family.  She had a heart of gold and a heart full of love for her sweet Australian Shepherd dogs.  Mona was the best dog mom ever, and we feel certain that God called her to help care for all the heavenly dogs.

She was the funniest person to hang out with as testified by all of her family and friends.  Her laugh was contagious and will be sorely missed.  She was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy.  Our hearts are broken but we are confident in God's promises that we will all be re-united in heaven one day.

She is survived by her husband, Jesse Brake (Willard, MO); parents, Lynn and Connie Oller (Springfield, MO); sister, Connie Oller-Heston (Jim Heston), (Ft. Wayne, IN); sister, Marjean Oller (Springfield, MO); nephew, Justin Miller (Springfield, MO); aunt, Kay Collins; and cousins Melanie and Chrissta Hoey (all of Springfield, MO) and Elizabeth Barham (Bluffton, OH).  She is also survived by step-son Aaron Brake (Pleasant Hope, MO); step-son Kevin Brake (Alton, IL); and step-daughter Stephanie Oliver (Arnold, MO).  Mona is also survived by Raven, her ever faithful Australian Shepherd, who never left her side.

Many thanks to Dr. Roger Holden and his team for their compassionate and loving care of Mona.

Madco 88 is 10-42 (end of duty).

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, August 13, 2021, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, Missouri. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at the funeral home.

The service will be live streamed and can be viewed at the All Occasion Video Springfield Missouri Facebook page.

Memorial Donations can be made in memory of Mona Oller Brake to:  St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to Canine Support Teams, 26500 Scott Road, Menifee, CA 92584.