John E. “Gene” Dyer

John E. “Gene” Dyer, 85, died Thursday, May 29, 2014, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.

Gene was born in Troy, TN, on June 20, 1928, to Rufus S. and Melissa C. (Nee Nipp) Dyer.

He enjoyed many hobbies, including cooking, gardening and fishing.

On September 11, 1948, he married Lorraine E. James in East St. Louis, IL, who preceded him in death.  He was also preceded in death by both his parents, a sister Joanne Dyer, 1 son, John K. “Kevin” Dyer.

Surviving are his four children, Lana (Tom) Dowdy, Richard “Rick” Dyer, Donna (Gary) Horstmann, Janice (John) Mollett, a “special son”, Don Krankel; 7 grandchildren, Greg (Marianne) Horstmann, Nicole (Jason) Joyner, Ben (Bethany) Horstmann, Katie (Tony) Putzer, Matthew (Jamie) Horstmann, J. W. (fiancée Brittany Beckner) Mollett, Kelly (Mike) Van; 11 great-grandchildren, Jack, Claire and Paige Horstmann, Katelynn and Madeline Joyner, Isaac, Jonah, Adam and Caleb Horstmann, Brynn Horstmann, Kenna Jo Mollett; 1 brother, Michael T. “Mike” (Char) Dyer; sisters, Joyce Snyder, Patti Dyer.

Memorials may be made to the National Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation.

Visitation: Sunday, June 1, 2014, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Southern Baptist Church, Highland, IL and Monday, June 2, 2014, from 9:00 to 10:00 am at the Church.

Funeral: Monday, June 2, 2014, at 10:00 am at Southern Baptist Church, Highland, IL

Interment: Highland City Cemetery.

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL