He was born on August 24, 1940, in Peoria to Lyle C. and Anne (Nevitt) Sears. He married Susan Keyster on February 16, 1963, in Peoria. She survives along with three daughters: Jenny (Jeff) Woodall of Normal, Eileen (Dave) Owen of Lincoln, and Nicki (Dirk) Haley of Dunlap. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Erica, Ryan, Jessica, Nicholas, Carly, Katie, Jacob, Seth, Payton, and nine great-grandchildren: Barrett, Mason, Logan, Troy, Heath, Crosby, Hollis, Owen, and Theo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters.
Lyle worked for International Paper for 43 years, retiring in 2002.
He was a lifelong member of St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Peoria.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. A Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Wednesday at the church.
Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Tributes and condolences may be made through the funeral home website at Woolsey-Wilton.com
