Deacon Donald L. Dyer

All who knew Deacon Donald L. Dyer would agree that there wasn’t anyone he met who left unchanged. His zest for life seeped from every fiber of his being, and his unconditional love for others and unwavering faith were an inspiration to all who were within his reach. The rock of his family, Don adored his wife and was deeply devoted to his children, but perhaps the role he treasured most was that of doting grandfather. It has been said that he was generous to a fault, and his character was unmatched. Don’s legacy that is deeply rooted in faith, compassion, and honor will be proudly carried on by those who follow him.

Although the 1930s were cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression, there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Joliet, Illinois, as they were blessed with the birth of a baby boy on October 5, 1939. Donald L. was one of six children born to his parents, Weldon Overton and Rufina Octavia "Billie" (Huet-Yott) Dyer, and was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Ronald and Richard, and his sisters, Beverly, Barbara, and Donna.

In many ways Don experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. He enjoyed things like hunting, trapping, and fishing, and he was a student at local schools. While in high school Don was a gymnast whose specialty was the trapeze. He went on to graduate from Wilmington High School in 1957.

It was also during his years in high school that Don met the young girl of his dreams. She was a “goody two shoes” named Barbara Jean Feeney while Don had a reputation of being a bit of a renegade.

Shortly after graduating, Don went into the United States Marine Corps when he was just 17. While in the military he was a helicopter crew chief who had the honor of picking up Astronaut Alan Shepard. Don was described as a lovable Marine who was also known for his strength and ability to discern when to love and when to dole out discipline. He was forever proud to have been a Marine, and it showed with his red Ford truck that was adorned with Marine insignias.

Not to be forgotten during his years in the military was Don’s blossoming romance with Barb. He wrote to her every day for two years, and with a desire to establish a life together they were married on November 12, 1960, at Saint Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington while home on leave.

Together Don and Barb were blessed with five children: Stacie, Timothy, Christina, William, and Mary. Don was a master craftsman who loved to build, and he built their first home in Wilmington. He took wonderful care of his wife and children as he gave Barb whatever her heart desired and walked his children up and down the hall to get them to sleep when they were babies. As a father Don was always fair and was there for whatever his children needed. They felt they could confide in their father and found him to be a calming presence in their lives. Don taught them to not worry about what others think and to make decisions that they could be proud of.

To support his family, Don worked for Lombardi Chevy-Buick, Frank Hamilton Chrysler, and Community Oldsmobile, all in Wilmington during his early career. From there he went into local banking including for several years with First National Bank of Wilmington. Don later worked for Exchange Bank and retired from Standard Bank as a vice president of the mortgage department.

On September 12, 1987, Don was ordained the first deacon of Saint Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where he was a member and served actively on various committees including parish council, the finance committee, vision committee and the marriage prep program with his wife Barb. Over the years, Deacon Don performed countless baptisms, marriage ceremonies and funeral services, as well as called on the sick and visited the homebound with communion. It was common for Deacon Don to share the altar during Mass with his wife and/or one of his daughters leading the songs, another daughter lecturing, and his grandchildren serving as altar servers. Additionally, he was a regular deacon performing committal services at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

As grandfathers go, Don’s grandchildren say that he was the best. He loved teaching them numerous things including that it is better to give than to receive. In everything they did, his grandchildren strived to make their grandfather proud.

In his free time, Don enjoyed making beautiful furniture, traveling both internationally and domestically, watching television, fishing, and gardening. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Father George Kuzma Council #11149 and the Isaac Walton League. If you knew Don Dyer, it was likely that he had sold you a car, mortgaged your home, performed a marriage in your family, baptized your child or buried one of your loved ones.

Someone whose children were proud to call him “Dad,” whose grandchildren saw him as an extraordinary role model, and whose faith was ever-present, Deacon Donald Dyer was a blessing to everyone he met. Whether he was tenderly caring for his wife in recent years, leading within his church or community, or serving his country during a time of need, his heart beat with unending compassion for others. Don will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Deacon Donald L. Dyer died on December 4, 2013. Don’s family includes his wife, Barbara; four children: Timothy Allen “Tad” (Renee) Dyer of Yorkville, Christina Marie (Leif) Dyer-Ekberg, William Weldon (Tommie) Dyer, and Mary Theresa Dyer, all of Wilmington; thirteen grandchildren: Bobby Watters (Terra Lemke) of Coal City, Brandi (Dave) LaRoux of Muncie, Indiana, Brent (Pam) Watters of Bloomington, Indiana, Matt Turnbull of Chicago, Josh Turnbull of Yorkville, Nick Turnbull of Elgin, Tommy Tim Dyer of Yorkville, and Tristen Ekberg, Aiden Ekberg, Nolan Ekberg, Hunter Dyer, Dalton Dyer and Dakota Dyer, all of Wilmington; six great-grandchildren: Kiarra Arellano, Jacynda Watters-Lopez, Kasandra Watters-Lopez, Jacob Watters, Stella Watters and Joshua Watters; two sisters: Barbara Jean (Joseph) Tryner and Donna (Skip) Bolz, both of Wilmington; brothers and sisters-in-law: Karen Dyer of Wilmington, Lois Dyer of Coal City, Clark Feeney and Mickey Feeney, both of Wilmington and Ginger (Jack) Nelson of New Lenox; nieces and nephews: John Tryner, Amy (Dan) Potempa, Vicky (Bruce) Witczak, Rick (Colleen) Schumacher, Kim Swanson, David (Lauren) Dyer, Rhonda (Wayne) Wolfe, Rayna (Mike) Smith, Richard Dyer, Jr. (Kendra Smith), Heather Southcomb, Donina (Kevin) Marley, Jack Nelson, Jr., Cindy (Mike) Steffan, Marcia (Joe) Ferraro, Jim (Erin) Nelson, and Tom Nelson; and numerous great nieces, great nephews, and a host of friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Weldon and Billie Dyer; daughter, Stacie Renee; sister Beverly (Ray) Graham; two brothers: Ronald Dyer and Richard Dyer; mother and father-in-law: Geraldine Anderson and William Feeney; brother-in-law, Tommy Feeney; and two nieces, Cheryl Schumacher and Kelly Jo Van Duyne. Deacon Don will lie in state at Saint Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington on Sunday, December 8, 2013, 1:00-8:00 p.m. and again Monday, December 9th, 8:30 a.m. until time of funeral service 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated with the pastor of Saint Rose Parish, Reverend Steve Bondi and various diocesan priests officiating. The Most Reverend Bishop Joseph L. Imesch and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Siegel will preside. Burial with full military honors provided by the Wilmington Color Guard and the United States Marine Corps will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Wilmington. Pallbearers will be: Tad Dyer, Bill Dyer, Leif Ekberg, Skip Bolz, Mickey Feeney, Richard Dyer, Jack Nelson, Bobby Watters and Brent Watters. Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Deacon Don's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or Saint Rose School, 626 South Kankakee Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481. Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family at www.BaskervilleFuneral.com. Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181).