John Arthur Lyons' Obituary
John Arthur Lyons passed away on February 22, 2025 at the VA Home in Quincy, IL. He was born on May 27,1947 in Springfield to Arthur and Dorothy Lyons. He lived in Riverton and Rochester IL before moving to Decatur. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1965. After graduation, he worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company until enlisting in the Air Force in 1966.
He married Marcy Anderson in 1967 and she joined him at Eglin AFB, FL. While stationed there he enjoyed scuba diving, sky diving and riding dirt bikes. He and Marcy returned to Decatur when he was discharged and he worked at Caterpillar as an electrician until retiring in 2001. He was a former Asst. Chief at South Wheatland Fire Department.
He enlisted in the Naval Reserves as a Seabee Construction Electrician. He loved his time as a Seabee and the opportunities it brought. He retired as Command Master Chief of RNMCB 26 in July of 2004.
He faced health problems later in life with Parkinson's Disease, which he battled for over 20 years and having a leg amputated.
He leaves his wife, Marcy, his daughters Amanda (Paul) Reeve of Maroa and Sara Lyons of Chicago. He also leaves grandsons, Zachary and Aidan Littrell, Tommy Werkheiser, and great grandsons Ryder and Rex (Peanut) Littrell, his brother David of Riverton, his sister Lynnette of Tennessee and sister-in-law and husband Karen and Len Emert of Chesterfield, MO. His daughters and grandsons were the light of his life.
Private funeral services will be held at a later date. Moran and Goebel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donations can be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis TN 38105.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?