Donald Raymond Dyer

Donald Raymond "Ray" Dyer, 68, of Springfield, died on May 28, 2008 at St. John's Hospital Hospice. Donald was born November 19, 1939, the fourth of eight children born to Robert Donald and Pearl Elizabeth (Bee) Dyer. He married Connie Stillwagon on September 11, 1976 at the Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield. Donald attended Feitshans High School and was employed by Currie Electrograph from 1971 to 1976 and briefly by the Crown Mine before retiring from the Springfield Mass Transit District in 1996 after 22 years of service as a bus driver. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy having served four years as a Seaman E-3 from 1958 to 1962. He was a member of ATU #1249 through the Springfield Mass Transit District, the Bereaved Parents of Springfield, and participated in the AIDS Walk Springfield. Donald was a member of Third Presbyterian Church and had served as a Cub Scout Master and Adult Leader for Pack 22 at the church, and as a coach for the Ritz's Lil' Fryer Team in the Dale Teubner T-ball Little League. He loved his grandkids, camping, fishing, traveling, old westerns and family reunions. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David R. Dyer; and five sisters. He is survived by his wife, Connie Jeanne Dyer of Springfield; five children: Edgar R. Dyer of Fort Collins, CO, Tina M. (husband, Joe) Enos of Arcadia, CA, Rita A. Manzella of Hotchkiss, CO, Jason A. (wife, Charity) Dyer of Mason City, IL and Devon J. Dyer (companion, Nicole Starkweather) of Springfield; twelve grandchildren: Robert, Danielle, Joe, Kenneth, Katrina, Paul, Savana, Nakki, Bentley, Lacie, Grace, Matthew and Matthew and two more on the way; two brothers: John Dyer and Paul Dyer both of Springfield; an aunt, Frances Dyer of Springfield; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield, IL. Visitation will begin with remarks of remembrance by Shaunessy Small. Funeral ceremonies will be at 2:00 p.m. on June 2, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home with Pastor Brent Mitchell officiating. Cremation accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Memorial contributions may be made to a special memorial fund established at Illini Bank for The Donald R. Dyer Family.