Elizabeth Joan (Bayer) George

Elizabeth Joan (Bayer) George

Dunlap - Elizabeth Joan (Bayer) George, of Dunlap, IL, passed away on June 20, 2021 at Broward Health, Coral Springs, Florida.

She was born on May 27, 1932 in Peoria, IL to Elmer Paul Bayer and Hazel Violet (Flinner) Bayer. To that union was born one son, E. Dale Bayer, and four daughters, Marcella Jean, Pauline Jane, Elizabeth Joan and Christine Joyce. Preceding Jody in death were her husband, Donald W. George, Brother Dale, Sisters Polly Heward, and Marcella Cox Roszhart.

Jody was baptized April 10, 1939 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Castleton, Illinois.

Jody married Donald W. George from Danville, Pennsylvania on March 27, 1954 in Wyoming, IL. Donald passed on March 5, 2016. They were married 62 years. She is survived by 4 sons, Mark Donald (Gemma), of McLeod Montana; Thomas Paul (Tami), of Chugiak, Alaska; Todd Matthew (Louise), of Durham, North Carolina and Christopher Scott (Melissa) of Wilmington, North Carolina.

She is also survived by her sister Chris Larison and eight grandchildren, Julia Grace Tompkins and (Luke), Tyler Scott George (Alana) and Candace Faith George, Charlotte Louise, and Daniel Matthew, Jim Zachman, Cheri Wilson, Janna Wilson, and one great-grandchild Maren Leigh Tompkins, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jody graduated from Wyoming Community High School in 1950. She graduated from Proctor Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1953. She received the Medical/Surgical award at her graduation. Her career in nursing took her too many fields. She was staff nurse at Proctor Hospital, Visiting Nurses Association, office nurse at Dr. Don Burhans (Peoria), staff nurse at Western Illinois Home Health Care (Monmouth, IL), and school nurse at Roosevelt Military Academy (Aledo, IL).

In 1962 she was nominated volunteer of the year by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Peoria, IL. She was honored with the "Jody George Service Award" from Western Illinois Home Health Care in 1997. She retired from nursing on May 27, 1997 after forty years of nursing.

Jody was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Aledo for twenty-eight years and a member of First English Lutheran Church, Peoria, IL until her death. Jody was a member of Ruth Circles, quilters program, Barnabas Minister Program, and was an active member at First English for many years. She was active with Lutheran World Relief and she served on the Board of Governors of Lutheran Social Services of Western Illinois, and on the board of the adult day care center of (LSSI) in Galesburg, Il. She also was a member of the Amicus Cirtus network of women in Chicago, IL (LSSI). Jody and her friend Jane Schirett founded the Service Overseas Group. Personal items were sent to the 85th Evacuation Hospital at Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

She enjoyed making wedding cakes, she wrote a cookie recipe book in 1973, the proceeds were given to the Moline Boys Choir of which Christopher was a five year member. Her grandchildren were the love of her life.

Memorial Services will be held on August 7, 2021 at First English Lutheran Church, at 11:00. Christian burial will take place at Pleasant Valley Cemetery on Rt. 17, Wyoming, Illinois. Officiating is Rev. Ryan Anderson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First English Lutheran Church - Youth Mission Program, 725 East Forrest Hill Ave., Peoria, IL 61603.