Services Set For Dist. 218 Teacher Lauren J. Lamaster

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL -- Lauren Lamaster, a popular long-time teacher for CHSD 218, passed away on Nov. 15 at the age of 34. She taught at Shepard and Richards High Schools. Her death was announced on D218’s school Facebook pages:

Lamaster was born on Nov. 28, 1982. She lived in Orland Park and was a former resident of Homer Glen. Her father, Tom, was a retired police officer, who also served as a security officer at Shepard High School in Palos Heights before retiring from that job. Lamaster was recalled as a dedicated and caring educator who changed her students’ lives:

"Heaven gained the sweetest angel today...Lauren Lamaster your passion and drive for your students is truly immeasurable. You impacted me in ways I️ never thought possible, taught me to love the field of psychology, and showed me that anything is possible with a positive attitude. It is because of you that I️ have fallen in love with education and it is because of you that I️ am where I️ am. Hope you’re up there hugging mama! Rest easy."

"For those of you who knew Lauren Lamaster and may not have seen her facebook page recently, Lauren passed away yesterday. There are many of us who worked with her and had become life-long friends. Many of us even talked to her in recent weeks. Needless to say, there are many of us feeling profoundly sad today."

"RIP, Lauren Lamaster, one of Shepard's greatest teachers."

She studied at Augustana University, University of St. Francis and Lewis University. Lamaster taught history and psychology, and was a coach at Shepard High School. She moved over to Richards High School in Oak Lawn, where she was a social studies teacher.

Lamaster was the cherished daughter of Tom and the late Mary; loving sister of Mary (Ryan) Weirich and Carleen (Joseph) Curalli; and the devoted aunt of Sydney and Savannah Weirich. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 at Richard J. Modell Funeral Home, 12641 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen. A brief chapel service will take place at the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 20, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, 16043 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen. Interment will be at Good Shepherd Cemetery, 16201 104th Ave. Orland Park.

Lamaster's Facebook page has been memorialized where friends and family can celebrate her life and visit her profile. Friends, family, colleagues and students may also leave their condolences on Lamaster's online guestbook.