Terry Dyer

Terry Ray Dyer of Roscoe, Illinois, passed away peacefully in his home on March 21, 2021. He was born on December 12, 1946 to Raymond Nelson and Mildred Louise (Nelson) Dyer. Terry was born at Rockford Memorial Hospital and grew up primarily in Rochelle, IL, graduating from Rochelle Township High School in 1968. He was a semi-professional drag racer at Rockford Dragway in Byron, in his car called Bardahl, and won several championship trophies. He was a founding member of the Speed Shifters Car Club in Rochelle. He met Carol (Myllymaki) Lundberg in 1973. He married Carol on June 29, 1974, loving her 3 children as his own. Their daughter, Jennifer, was born a couple years later. They made their home in Sycamore until 1986, then moved to Roscoe, where he spent the rest of his life. Terry was interested in history and trains. He shared his love of history by working at Memorial Hall in Rockford and public speaking about Camp Grant, President Roosevelt, his dad, Ray's, service during WWII and numerous other subjects pertaining to Rockford and Northern Illinois. He was a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, serving as Department Commander for 2 consecutive years. He traveled to Gettysburg and many other Civil War related battlefields through the Sons of Union Veterans. He was also a member of the Rock River Valley Civil War Roundtable and the Rockford Historical Society. Terry was a longtime member of the State Line S-Gaugers and Lena Depot Stove Gang, with an extensive collection of American Flyer trains. Survivors are his wife of 46 years, Carol; sister, Virginia Dyer; children Lauri (Jeff) Paulsen, Cindy (Roger) Diedrich, Steve Lundberg and Jennifer (Matt) Mickelson. Grandchildren Tim (Cassie) Paulsen, Chris (Katie) Paulsen, Matthew Paulsen, Jake and Ashley Diedrich, Ruadhan Lundberg and Corran Mickelson. Great-grandchildren Olivia, Nola and Brielle Paulsen and Freddie and Frankie Paulsen. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter in law, Alexis Paulsen. ? A Celebration of Life will take place Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 North Main Street, Rockford, Illinois, 61101. Memorials may be made, and sent to Stateline Cremations, where they will be directed to the family. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 712 Windsor Road, Loves Park, Illinois, 61111.