Chalmer Dyer

Born the 6th of 12 children, Chalmer Dyer was welcomed into this life by his parents Oscar & Laura (Patton) Dyer in Seitz, KY on August 29, 1939. Delivered at home, it was not until the couple could reach the county registrar on September 21, 1939, that his birth was recognized and documented on record. This led to a lifetime of two birthday celebrations annually, which his family never forgot.

Chalmer’s young childhood experiences were gathered on the family tobacco farm until their relocation to Tecumseh, MI in the mid 1940’s. Now in the Midwest, Chalmer spent his young adult life working many odd jobs from farm labor to tree nurseries and local manufacturing.

With a stroke of luck while playing poker with friends, Chalmer met his wife Kathleen and was married 4 years later on October 10, 1964. They then welcomed their daughter, Theresa.

Though his education ceased before reaching high school graduation, this did not stop him from achieving an American Dream and establishing his business The Dyer Adult Care Home in 1983 in Mason, MI. In 1986 he and his wife relocated to Plainwell, MI where they supported end of life care for many local residents until their early retirement in 1997.

At a young age, Chalmer learned to play the guitar and could frequently be found with a group of family and friends singing around a campfire or cozied up in the home. He enjoyed sharing his passions of gardening, farming, cards, mushroom hunting, cooking, and squirrel and rabbit hunting with both his daughter and grandchildren. He never missed watching a Detroit Tigers baseball game and always disputed that they were superior to his wife’s favorite team, the Yankees. He cherished his family above all and never ceased to support their endeavors.

Chalmer’s final days were spent in comfort at Centrica Rose Arbor, Kalamazoo, MI, closely surrounded by family and friends until his passing on January 19, 2025.

Chalmer was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen (Salyer) Dyer, his parents Oscar & Laura (Patton) Dyer, and siblings Elmer Dyer, Marie Dyer, Tillie (Dyer) Guerin, Delmer Dyer, Molly Faye (Dyer) Waters, Denver (Denny) Dyer, Palmer (Pal) Dyer, Dalores (Dyer) Meacham, and Ernest (Erine) Dyer.

His memory lives on with his daughter Theresa (Michael) Hughes; his sisters Anna Mae (Dyer) Beazley and Miriam Joyce (Dyer) Ellison; Grandchildren Maj-Britt (Eric) Holmes, Jacqueline Martin, and Michaela (Kyle) Harrison; and his 5 Great Grand Children Erica Holmes, Madison Holmes, Austin Holmes, Rayonna Smith, and Jeremiah Jones.

Per his final wishes, cremation has already taken place. A graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery, 6942 Lindsey Road., Delton, MI 49046 on April 27th, 2025, at 3 p.m. A celebration of life luncheon will immediately follow at the Orangeville Township Hall.

While visiting Chalmer’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).