Reverend George Dyer

Reverend George J. Dyer

Reverend George J. Dyer, 90, Pastor Emeritus of St. Patrick Church, Wadsworth, Ill., died on Dec. 3, 2017.

He was the loving son of the late George M. and Mae (nee DeLacy) Dyer and the brother of the late Marian Alice Brookman.

He is survived by his brother-in-law, William T. Brookman; two nieces and a nephew, Marlie (Martin) Morin, Barbara Brookman and William G. (Nancy) Brookman, and his grand nieces and nephew, Melissa (Robert) Hutchison, Michael (Kristen) Morin, Lauren (Scott) Brookman-Frazee, and Shara (James) Brookman Smith.

Also surviving are his great nieces and nephews, Matthew (Michelle Shimon) Hutchison, Meaghan Hutchison, Maureen Hutchison, Courtney Morin, Patrick Morin, Emily Morin, Joshua Morin, Geta Morin, Daniel Frazee, and Tamene Morin.

Fr. Dyer was ordained on May 1, 1953. After receiving his doctorate in Sacred Theology (1955) he taught Patristics and Systematic Theology at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. In 1967, he was named Dean of Studies and served in that position for nine years. He became pastor of St. Patrick Church in Wadsworth in 1978. During his tenure a new Church was built and the first Mass was celebrated on May 11, 1991. He retired from St. Patrick in 1996. Following a brief sabbatical, Fr. Dyer served as a weekend presider at St. Julian Eymard Parish in Elk Grove Village until 2016. He ministered to the retirement community of Sedgebrook, Lincolnshire, Ill., until the time of his death.

Fr. Dyer was both an author and an editor. He founded the theological journal, Chicago Studies, insuring the continuing education of priests and catechetical ministers. He published a weekly column under the name of Androgogy, which appeared in a thousand parish bulletins. He wrote and narrated the Three Minute Theologian, an audiocassette presentation based on current themes and Catholic teaching. In 1982, the Catholic Theological Society of America awarded him its John Courtney Murray medal for his "distinguished contributions" to theology. He was both scholar and pastor and will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, from 2 - 8 p.m. at St. Patrick Church in Wadsworth, Ill. There will be a Wake Service at 7 p.m. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at St. Patrick Church in Wadsworth, Ill. Private interment will take place at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Ill.

If desired, memorial donations can be made to

St. Patrick School Scholarship Fund, 15020 West Wadsworth Rd., Wadsworth, Ill., 60083 or the Holy Family Soup Kitchen, 914 8th Street, Waukegan, Ill. 60085.

Arrangements are under the care of

Gurnee Salata Funeral Home,

4190 Old Grand Avenue,

Gurnee, Illinois