Edward "Ed" L. Bayer

Edward Lee Bayer, 86, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2014, after a battle with bladder cancer. Ed "Pike" Bayer was born on October 21, 1927 to Henry and Amelia Bayer. He was born in a house on Plum Street in Percy, IL with a high-peaked roof, which coined him the nickname "Pike", after Pike's Peak. His parents passed away early in his life, leaving him to become independent and self-sufficient . In his youth, he was a strong athlete, enjoying both baseball and basketball. His love of sports followed through into his retirement during which he was an avid golfer. He joined the United States Army and served in the Army of Occupation in Germany, as a mechanic, during the time of the Korean Conflict. After being honorably discharged in 1952, he began working in line construction and in 1964 started working for Southeastern Illinois Electric Cooperative, retiring after 25 years of service, in 1989. On October 18, 1952 in Piggott, Arkansas, Ed married Margaret Celeste Melvin. They were blessed with four sons during their 37 years of marriage: Dana, Melvin, Kirk and Ray. Ed and Margaret enjoyed living at the Lake of Egypt. He enjoyed gardening, barbequing, and trying out new fireplace modifications. Margaret passed away after a battle with cancer in 1989. In 1992 Ed married Mary Moschenrose of Gorham, IL. They enjoyed spending winters in Mississippi camping near Kirk's home. They returned to Southern Illinois for the summers and enjoyed time spent with family and their friends at Lollie's Café in Percy, where they could be found nearly three times a day! If he wasn't golfing, Ed was sitting in his recliner watching one of his many favorite western movies, in which John Wayne was surely the star. Ed and Mary were together for 19 years before her death in 2011. Ed is survived by his four sons: Dana (Diane) Bayer of Steeleville, IL, Melvin (and friend Francine) Bayer of Smyrna, TN, Kirk Bayer of Picayune, MS, and Ray (Kristen) Bayer of Marion, IL. He has seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren with one on the way. He was preceded in death by his wives, parents, two brothers, Junior and Hubert, and three sisters, Doris Elaine, Lucille, and a sister that died at birth. He has one surviving brother, Gene (Wanda) Bayer of Columbia, IL. His body will be cremated and a graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2014, in Ullin Cemetery, Ullin. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Edward "Ed" L. Bayer

October 21, 1927 - October 14, 2014