Ron Colyer

James R. ‘Ron' Colyer, 69, of Columbia, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois.

He was born Jan. 16, 1945, in Cape Girardeau, son of the late Emanuel A. and Wilma M. Rodgers Colyer. He and Lynn M. Thompson were married Oct. 10, 2003, in Columbia.

Ron was raised on a farm near McClure, Illinois. He was a graduate of Shawnee High School, and received both bachelor and master degrees from Southeast Missouri State University.

He was currently serving as the city clerk of Columbia. He had a long career in education, serving as an administrator, teacher and coach in the Columbia, Dupo, and Marissa school districts. He was a former Columbia school board member, a lifelong member of the Democratic Party, member of the Columbia Gymnastic Association, and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Among his many accomplishments, Ron was a high school umpire, umping in three IHSA state championship games. He was a former high school football referee, Khoury League coach, and played, coached, umped and announced in the Mon-Clair League.

He was a former columnist for the Monroe County Clarion and the Waterloo Republic Times. He worked in Washington, D.C., for the postmaster general as a young man, and once wrote a speech given by President Lyndon Johnson. He was a proud brother in the PKA fraternity. He played softball many years for Jim and Ray's, and in many various leagues around the area. Ron was proud of his attendance at 54 straight Illinois basketball championships.

Ron will be missed by countless friends, former students, players and teammates, "Lynn's Girls", golf buddies and the Friday Night Club. Ron also took great pride in being a Colyer, and was deeply devoted to his family. Anyone who knew Ron was constantly reminded of his unwavering devotion to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Fighting Illini.

Survivors include his children, James (Christy) Colyer of Cape Girardeau, Josh (Mary) Colyer, Calli (Shaun) Hannah and Brian Schlemmer, all of Columbia; six grandchildren, Jordan, Bailey, Andrew, Reese, Aiden and Brilynn; a sister, Peggy J. Evans of Phoenix; a sister-in-law, Betsy (James Fox) Olsson of Waterloo, Illinois; other relatives; and many friends.

He was also preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Bill (Mitzi) Colyer; and a grandson, James William Colyer.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. William Groennert officiating.

In lieu of other types of gifts, memorial contributions are suggested to The Ron Colyer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

For more information, access lawlorfuneralhome.com.