Marlene J. Ayer, 75, of Springfield died at 12:43 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield with the Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Radtke officiating. Burial followed in Roselawn Memorial Park near Riverton.
Bisch and Son Funeral Home in Springfield was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Ayer was born in Litchfield on Sept. 10, 1941, the daughter of the late Otto and Helen (Jaeger) Birkenkamp. She married Phillip M. Ayer on Aug. 31, 1962, and he preceded her in death on June 13, 2013.
She retired as a secretary in the outpatient surgery department at Memorial Medical Center after over 20 years of service. She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church LCMS for many years.
Mrs. Ayer's favorite pastime was shopping for others with the help of QVC and HSN. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was supportive to her family in every endeavor they did. She was a kind, sharing person who never had an unkind word.
She is survived by three daughters, Angela (Doug) Carver of Springfield, Kathy Havener of Morrisonville and Sara Ayer of Lincoln; grandchildren, George (Lori) Benedict of Petersburg, Mandy (James) Whalen of Morrisonville, Ashley Benedict and Jesse (Kaylea) Benedict, both of Springfield; seven great-grandchildren with two on the way; five sisters, Donna Mae Elmore of Bloomington, Phyllis Molohon of Auburn, Charlene Specht of Farmersville, Sondra (Ron) Menichetti of Springfield and Cheryl (John) Herman of Raymond; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her parents and husband, Mrs. Ayers was preceded in death by her granddog, Sable Jane.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Organ Restoration Fund, Lutheran High School or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Please visit the online "Life Remembered Story" at www.bischfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.
