Celebrating the life of
Lyle J. Layer
April 16, 1930 - August 02, 2014
A veteran, coach, mentor, father and grandfather who achieved excellence
SAVANNAH - Lyle J. Layer died on August 2, 2014, at Savannah Square Nursing Home in Savannah, Georgia after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was 84 years old.
Lyle Layer was born on April 16th, 1930 at home in Fairgrove Township, Michigan to Rolan and Gladys (Mc Creedy) Layer. Eventually, the family moved to Millington, Michigan. Lyle graduated from Millington High School where he was an outstanding athlete. After graduation, he went on to serve four years in the United State Air Force, flying 52 missions over Korea, as a radio operator in a B29 Bomber. After leaving the Air Force, as a Staff Sergeant, he attended Western Michigan University where he met and married Ellen Marlene Pridgeon. He graduated from Western Michigan University (B.S 1956) and then obtained two advanced degrees from Michigan State University. Lyle had a distinguished career as a teacher and coach in Portland and Oscoda, Michigan, and as an administrator in Oscoda, Kent City, Caro, and Millington, Michigan. When Lyle retired from education, he went to work for the Red Cross. Following a second retirement, Lyle and Ellen moved to Savannah, Georgia.
While in Portland in 1959, Lyle coached one of a handful of undefeated and unscored on football teams in Michigan history. He established a reputation for achieving excellence and became a coach and mentor to a generation of Michigan educators.
Lyle was a member of the White Bluff Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia. Throughout his life, Lyle was active in his church and in his community, serving in civic and service organizations.
Lyle was preceded in death by a grandson, Joshua Neil Wilson, his wife, Ellen Marlene Layer, and his sister Marilyn (Layer) Fessler.
He is survived by his children, Marianne Layer of Plano, Texas and Brian Layer, Brigadier General, US Army (ret.) and wife Ella of Moline, Illinois, his grandchildren, Jeremy Layer (and Alisha Owens), Maria Layer, and Greg Layer, his great grand-daughter, Marley Elizabeth Layer, and his sister, Betty (Layer) Johnson of Millington, Michigan.
Memorial Services will be held at White Bluff Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia on Thursday, August 7, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163, Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416, or the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018.
Dear Brian and Marianne, Lyle was an amazing man who inspired many people. I amazed by his service during the Korean War. Lyle was an outstanding educator who was appreciated by my parents as an administrator and friend. Your mom and dad were always so kind to my family. Lyle will be missed, Steve
- Steve Swaton and Family, Marshall, MI
Sir, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Ella and the rest of your family during this time. I pray for your strength and peace. Reading his obituary, your father seemed like a remarkable man, so I am sure you and the family have lots of wonderful memories. Dwell on those happy memories and not the loss.
- Denita Caffery, Chester, VA
Dear Brian, Ella, Maria and Greg, I only knew Lyle through you and our friendship over the past 32 years. He was a great role model for you and I am sure many others he reflected on throughout his years on earth. I am very sorry for your loss and of a Great man on this earth and may he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Rich Burns, Davenport, IA
Sorry for your loss a Great Man to many My Thoughts and Prayers are with you
- Scott A. Gritter, Kent City, MI
Sorry for your loss a Great Man to many My Thoughts and Prayers are with you
- Scott A. Gritter, Kent City, MI
Sorry for your loss a Great Man to many My Thoughts and Prayers are with you
- Scott A. Gritter, Kent City, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with you while we remember a remarcable man. I feel blessed to have met Lyle years ago. He was such a giving and loving man and always made me feel welcome and part of the family.
- Jim and Sabine Elbe, Springfield , Va
So sorry to hear of your loss. Lyle was one of the good guys and his passing is our loss. The Kern family
- Chuck Kern, Alamogordo, NM
My prayers are with your family. We all lost a great man but heaven has gained an eternal servant of our Lord.
- Mary Burde, Grand Rapids, Mi
Dear Brian, Marianne and family, Please know that we are connected with you in prayer and know what a special man Lyle was. I have many fond childhood memories of our times together in Kent City throwing a football around the yard. We send our deepest sympathy for your loss.
- Tom and Patti Dalgleish, Appleton, WI
TO THE LAYER FAMILY, I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH OF YOUR LOVED ONE.MAY THE FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN THE MEMORIES OF HIM WHILE KEEPING IN MIND THE SCRIPTURAL HOPE OF EVERLASTING LIFE. JOHN 17:3
- Ann White, Pooler, Ga
We are sorry to hear of Lyle's death. He had a tremendous impact in so many lives including mine. I will cherish all the memories of our time in Oscoda and Kent City. His impact lives on through each of you and the many he mentored and taught along the way. Heaven is rejoicing that one of its Saints has returned home. We lament his passing but are so happy to know he is reunited with Ellen and Joshua. Know that we love and care for you deeply and pray for comfort and peace during this difficult time
- Brian and Amy Summers, Winterville, NC
So glad we made the trip to Savannah in April. We had a great visit with Lyle and Marianne plus getting a chance to be a tourist in the great city of Savannah. Sad to lose another special cousin. I have passed the word on to my siblings and several other cousins. The whole family loved Lyle and Ellen.
- Dick McCreedy, Niles , MI
Dear Brian, Marianne and family, Your father was a wonderful warm and loving person. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. I have so many fond memories of both your parents. With much love, Laurie Pridgeon
- Laurie Pridgeon, New york, NY
Our sincere condolences to Lyle Layer's extended family. He was a kind man whose love for his family was without limits. He shall be missed. Rest in peace Uncle Lyle.
- Godosky, New York, NY
Dear Brian and Marianne, Lyle was an amazing man who inspired many people. I amazed by his service during the Korean War. Lyle was an outstanding educator who was appreciated by my parents as an administrator and friend. Your mom and dad were always so kind to my family. Lyle will be missed, Steve
- Steve Swaton and Family, Marshall, MI
Sir, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Ella and the rest of your family during this time. I pray for your strength and peace. Reading his obituary, your father seemed like a remarkable man, so I am sure you and the family have lots of wonderful memories. Dwell on those happy memories and not the loss.
- Denita Caffery, Chester, VA
Dear Brian, Ella, Maria and Greg, I only knew Lyle through you and our friendship over the past 32 years. He was a great role model for you and I am sure many others he reflected on throughout his years on earth. I am very sorry for your loss and of a Great man on this earth and may he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Rich Burns, Davenport, IA
Sorry for your loss a Great Man to many My Thoughts and Prayers are with you
- Scott A. Gritter, Kent City, MI
Sorry for your loss a Great Man to many My Thoughts and Prayers are with you
- Scott A. Gritter, Kent City, MI
Sorry for your loss a Great Man to many My Thoughts and Prayers are with you
- Scott A. Gritter, Kent City, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with you while we remember a remarcable man. I feel blessed to have met Lyle years ago. He was such a giving and loving man and always made me feel welcome and part of the family.
- Jim and Sabine Elbe, Springfield , Va
So sorry to hear of your loss. Lyle was one of the good guys and his passing is our loss. The Kern family
- Chuck Kern, Alamogordo, NM
My prayers are with your family. We all lost a great man but heaven has gained an eternal servant of our Lord.
- Mary Burde, Grand Rapids, Mi
Dear Brian, Marianne and family, Please know that we are connected with you in prayer and know what a special man Lyle was. I have many fond childhood memories of our times together in Kent City throwing a football around the yard. We send our deepest sympathy for your loss.
- Tom and Patti Dalgleish, Appleton, WI
TO THE LAYER FAMILY, I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH OF YOUR LOVED ONE.MAY THE FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN THE MEMORIES OF HIM WHILE KEEPING IN MIND THE SCRIPTURAL HOPE OF EVERLASTING LIFE. JOHN 17:3
- Ann White, Pooler, Ga
We are sorry to hear of Lyle's death. He had a tremendous impact in so many lives including mine. I will cherish all the memories of our time in Oscoda and Kent City. His impact lives on through each of you and the many he mentored and taught along the way. Heaven is rejoicing that one of its Saints has returned home. We lament his passing but are so happy to know he is reunited with Ellen and Joshua. Know that we love and care for you deeply and pray for comfort and peace during this difficult time
- Brian and Amy Summers, Winterville, NC
So glad we made the trip to Savannah in April. We had a great visit with Lyle and Marianne plus getting a chance to be a tourist in the great city of Savannah. Sad to lose another special cousin. I have passed the word on to my siblings and several other cousins. The whole family loved Lyle and Ellen.
- Dick McCreedy, Niles , MI
Dear Brian, Marianne and family, Your father was a wonderful warm and loving person. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. I have so many fond memories of both your parents. With much love, Laurie Pridgeon
- Laurie Pridgeon, New york, NY
Our sincere condolences to Lyle Layer's extended family. He was a kind man whose love for his family was without limits. He shall be missed. Rest in peace Uncle Lyle.
- Godosky, New York, NY
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
