Lavern J. Seyer

LaVern J. Seyer, 84, of Mascoutah, IL, was born March 13, 1926 in Mascoutah, IL, and died Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 after a short illness.


He was a farmer with a background in farming, 4-H and FFA. He received the honor of State Farmer as a high school student. Mr. Seyer began his teaching career in area country schools for a few years before serving four years in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He was sent to Syracuse University for intensive Russian language training and then to Tokyo, Japan to work in Air Force Intelligence. He was a graduate of McKendree College. He taught a variety of subjects in the Mascoutah Public Elementary and Jr. High Schools before eventually focusing on history. After 35 years of teaching he retired. After his retirement, he and his wife Helen enjoyed travelling, touring parts of Europe, Australia, Turkey, Russia, the Middle East, Mexico and Canada, as well as visiting family and friends.


He and his family lived in the house which he built himself on Sixth Street in Mascoutah. He was a lifelong active participant of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah, a member of the Mascoutah Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award bestowed on a Rotary member.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver C. and Erna M., nee Stein, Seyer; his wife, Helen M., nee Moser, Seyer whom he married in Belleville, IL on Dec. 27, 1950 and who died July 17, 2004; three stillborn children, Mark, John and Mary Seyer.


He is survived by two children, Susan Seyer and husband Steven Multon of Portland, OR, and Jim Seyer of Mascoutah, IL; two grandchildren, Victoria and Miles Multon of Portland, OR; two sisters, Luella (Orville) Dickhaut of Carlinville, IL, and Evelyn (James) Sappenfield of Milwaukee, WI; two nieces, Anne Sappenfield and husband Scott Walker of Madison, WI, Lora Sappenfield and husband Mike Fitzgerald of Brooklyn, NY; a great niece Haley Walker, and two great nephews, Max Walker and Griffin Fitzgerald. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.


Memorials may be made to the St. John United Church of Christ.


Visitation: from 4 to 9 PM Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL, and from 10 to 11 AM Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 at the church.


Funeral: funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 at St. John United Church of Christ with Rev. Jack Spratte officiating. Burial will be in Mascoutah City Cemetery.