Jane Elizabeth Dyer – Hansen-Spear

Jane Elizabeth Dyer, of Springfield, Il, went to meet her Heavenly Father at 1:52 am on November 9, 2024 surrounded by adoring family and loving and caring neighbors. Jane was born in Quincy, Illinois on June 12th, 1953 to Jesse Benjamin Dyer and Dora Gard Dyer and graduated in 1971 from Quincy Senior High School. Jane graduated from Memorial Nursing School in 1974 and maintained lifelong friendships with her classmates. She worked as a nurse for more than 40 years, until June 2018 when she retired as an RN-CNOR from the Surgical Department of Memorial Medical Center. Jane very much enjoyed regular trips to Florida, winters in Fort Myers and summers at the beach in Destin.

Jane found her longtime spiritual home in Springfield First United Methodist Church. Her relationships with other members and the pastoral staff were very important to defining the guiding principles of her life. According to Lead Pastor Roger Grimmett, Jane was admired for her faith, grace and dignity in the face of her terminal cancer diagnosis. She continued to be active up to the date of her death.
Jane exemplified generosity to her family, friends, and beyond. She used her medical expertise to provide volunteer aid in both Vietnam and Russia through Operation Smile. Later, she volunteered at and donated to service programs with Midwest Mission, Springfield First United Methodist Church, and Catalyst Domestic Violence Services where her niece Mary Beth Dyer works.

She wanted to express her gratitude to Dr. MacZura and her staff and the 4th Floor Infusion Center at Springfield Clinic.

Jane was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Benjamin Dyer, grandmother Mary Kendrick Gard, and beloved childhood friend Joyce Swartz.

Jane was cherished by her lifelong friends Gwen Bigham and Carol Barnhorst. Gwen continued to be one of the most important relationships of her life. Other close friends were Lynne Allen, Maureen Barnes, Janet Butcher, Tammy Ernsting, Kathy Flemming, Karen Kirby, Barbara Kopec, Leann Toland, Sally Westerhoff and no love can be compared to the love between Jane and Connie Esslinger.

She is survived by her mother, Dora Gard Dyer, and four siblings: Mary Catherine Dyer, Quincy; James Benjamin (Kay) Dyer, Quincy; Eugene Richard (Kristin) Dyer, Marion, Ohio; Dianna Lynn Dyer, Quincy. A niece, Robyn Daugherty (Randy Rettinghaus), who lived with Jane was like a daughter to her. Jane was loved by her nieces and nephews: Keith Eugene (Shauna) Dyer, Krystal Faith Vogel (Matt), Stephanie Marie Dyer, Mary Elizabeth Dyer (Wyntur), Jessica Jane Whiston; as well great nieces and nephews Pyrrhus James Nelson, Jesse Benjamin Nelson, Ryeder Rettinghaus, Meadow Olivia Whiston, Willow Sophia Whiston, Magnolia Mae Whiston, Madison Elizabeth Dyer, Adeline Maylee Dyer, and Kaden Matthew Vogel, Bryden Keith Groves, Jorden James Vogel, as well as a great-great niece, Indy Rettinghouse, and a beloved cousin Edward (Elena) Gower.

Church Services: 10:30 am on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Springfield First United Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois.

Interment Services: 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Greenmount Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois.

Donations may be made to Catalyst Domestic Violence Services, Midwest Mission or First United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.