Spencer Lyon

Spencer Lyon, 62, of Piedmont, Mo., passed away Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at his residence, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Mr. Lyon, son of Edna "Jewby" Lyon nee Mills and the late Richard Henry Lyon was born Sept. 17, 1943, in Evansville, Ind.

Mr. Lyon was a graduate of St. Francis Borgia High School where he was a member of the first football team. He was a photographer for the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970. He was stationed in Germany.

Spencer graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor of science degree in secondary art. He was also a graduate of Lindenwood University, an MFA in photography.

He was an art and photography teacher for nearly 20 years at Clearwater High School in Piedmont. He was also the girls softball coach, cheerleading and pep club sponsor. He retired from teaching to open his own photography studio, which he operated until his illness forced him to retire.

He loved football, especially the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He also enjoyed auto racing, especially Formula One and Grand Prix. He was an avid supporter of Clearwater basketball, baseball and volleyball. He enjoyed reading mysteries and biographies.

He began an arts and entertainment tabloid in Cape Girardeau in the early 1970s, called the River City Review. He loved writing articles and critical reviews about entertainment and photography. He had his own photography and articles published in nearly all major photography magazines.

On Dec. 8, 1983, he was united in marriage to Barbara Brown at the courthouse in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

He was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Piedmont.

Mr. Lyon was preceded in death by his father, Richard Lyon, Dec. 10, 1999, and by a brother-in-law, Ken Broeker in 1992.

Among his survivors are his wife, Barbara Lyon of Piedmont; his mother, Jewby Lyon of Washington, Mo.; a sister, Ann Broeker of Union, Mo.; his mother-in-law, Louise Brown of Poplar Bluff; a nephew, Clay Spencer Broeker and wife Maria of Affton, Mo.; great-niece, Kenlee Broeker of Affton.

Spencer was a Big Brother to Jake Hime of Piedmont; other relatives and many friends.

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Jan. 3 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Washington. Celebrant was the Rev. James Byrnes. Interment was in St. Francis Borgia Cemetery, Washington.

Memorials were to the United Cancer Assistance Network, Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, SFBRHS Scholarship Fund, St. Catherine of Sienna Building Fund, or Our Lady of Lourdes Church Building Fund.

Arrangements were in the care of Nieburg-Vitt Funeral Home, 310 Elm St., Washington, Mo., 63090, (636) 239-6422.