James Neil Dyer

James Neil (Jim) Dyer, 95, passed away peacefully at 1:10 pm on September 9, 2023 at Community South hospital in Indianapolis with family by his side. Jim was born December 3rd, 1927, in Arlington and was the eldest son of Clarence and Ruth Dyer. Jim worked with his father on modern farming techniques and won the Rush County Corn King in 1944 at the age of 16 – the youngest ever to hold the title. He graduated from Mays High School in 1945. He began to farm with his father until drafted into the Korean War in 1951. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers, earning an expert marksman badge and serving in Panama until honorably discharged as a corporal in 1953. After the Army, he began to take courses for tool and die in Indianapolis when a professor recommended that he should study engineering at Purdue’s main campus. In 1958, Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with highest distinction and was a member of Omega Chi Epsilon, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Lambda Upsilon, and Tau Beta Pi honor societies. He remained a strong Boilermaker fan throughout his life. Jim began his career in chemical engineering with Victor Chemical Works (later purchased by Stauffer Chemical) in Chicago Heights, Illinois. While there, he met Marva Lee Meyer and they married on June 24, 1962. Starting a family with two boys, Steve and Greg, they soon were transferred to New City, New York. During his time there, he received four patents. Jim’s priorities in life were his faith in God and his family. In 1974, he and Marva moved back to Carthage to raise their sons and help his father with the family farm. Jim was active at Center Christian Church for 48 years, serving as Elder and Sunday school teacher. Jim is survived by brother Phillip Dyer, sister Deloris Hermann, children Steve (Jill) Dyer, Greg (Janet) Dyer. He took special joy in his grandchildren and is survived by Greg Alan and Neil Dyer, Kelly, Michele, Eric (Shaina), Nathan, and Joseph Dyer, and great-grandchildren Cameron Dyer and Margo Dyer. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and sisters Marjorie Cockerham and Eleanor Bonne. Most importantly, Jim became a believer in Jesus Christ at age 11 while attending Hannegan Christian Church. Jim will be remembered as a God-loving, quiet, hard-working, generous, wise man who cared about others. Services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, September 14, 2023 in the Center Christian Church where friends are welcome to visit the family from 9:30AM until time of service. He will be buried at Center Christian Church cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Rush County Veteran’s Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be sent to Center Christian Church, 9112 N 50 W, Knightstown, IN 46148. Moster Mortuary, Rushville, entrusted with arrangements.

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James Neil Dyer

December 3, 1927 - September 9, 2023