Photo courtesy of Smits Funeral Home - Dyer
Dyer, Indiana
Feb 6, 1962 – Aug 6, 2025
Timothy Lee Peyton, age 63, of Dyer, IN, passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Loving son of Carol and the late Thomas Peyton. Dear brother of Jeff (Laura Kurzeja) Peyton, Brian (Jackie) Peyton, Julie (Mike) Min, the late Tommie Lynn Peyton, and Dan (Jessica) Peyton. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Tim had a passion for theatre and performed in many plays throughout his years at Lake Central High School and Indiana State University where he earned his degree in Radio & Television in 1984. This led him to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry. He spent 38 years in California working behind and in front of the camera before moving back to Indiana. For the last two years, he was a beloved bus driver for the Lake Central School System. His playful personality really helped him connect with the students on the bus. He definitely was the "fun" uncle to his nieces and nephews. Tim was a caring, loving and helpful person to anyone he met. His youthful zest for life was contagious. He was a light in many people's lives that will never be diminished.
Memorial visitation Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3:30 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane (Rt.30& Pleasant Springs Ln.), Dyer, IN. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). For further information, please contact 219-322-7300 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com
Read More
Tim -Mark and I were just remembering when we saw you in the play Grease at lake Central. We knew then of your talent. Fellow thespian. We made ss you and your smile Aunt Carol and cousins we are thinking of you and sending prayers.
Mark & Mary Jo Bruno
August 16, 2025 | Fayetteville, GA | Family
Single Memorial Tree
Randy Noojin
August 16, 2025 | New York
Tim and I met as freshman in high school. We went on choir trips together and became quick friends. After graduation we stayed close. He visited me at Indiana University, we hung out when I lived in Southern California, and he took me and my son to Sea World for a behind the scenes tour over 20 years ago. We even managed to spend time together in Barcelona when we were visiting at the same time. I spoke to Tim in May of this year and he was so happy being around his family in Indiana. ...
Ellen Briggs (Gronowski)
August 14, 2025 | Savannah, GA | Friend
I only met Tim once in Los Angeles about a decade ago. We spent an evening with a very dear mutual friend and I’ve never since managed to shake him from my soul. Truthfully, I never wanted to!! When I think of Tim, it comes with a grin! My sincere condolences to all that knew him and loved him!♥
Brent Shapansky
August 14, 2025 | Vancouver, BC | Friend
Dear families, friends, and loved ones I may not have had the honor to meet:
Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences for your loss. My heart is heavy, yet I’m comforted knowing Tim was able to “return home to Indiana” — to share time, love, and laughter with his family and with the lifelong friends who knew him from childhood on.
Yes. Laughter. Even now, in this moment of deep sorrow, that’s the first thing I think of when I think of Tim. There’s love, joy, trust,...
Bill Lae
August 12, 2025 | Simi Valley, CA | Friend
Timchi, I will always remember your warmth - and your amazing dehydrated 20-year-old burger in its display some. Keep shining, until we meet again
Carrie Allmon (Ransom)
August 11, 2025 | Bountiful, UT | Friend
To the entire Peyton family, Please accept my deepest condolences on losing Tim. I met Tim when we were in 6th grade at Kahler Middle School. My first memory of him was creating and painting murals to hang on the walls in the hallway. I’d never had so much fun with anyone. We spilled paint, spelled words wrong and more, but we laughed the whole time. He made life fun and took humor to another level. I loved Tim back then and that never changed. Rest well, Tim.
Nancy Blaho Funston
August 10, 2025 | Friend
When someone passes you always think of how that person touched you. I always knew Christmas had arrived in Northwest Indiana when Tim called our house to talk with my brothers and make merry. It was always a source of comfort when that phone rang and someone yelled, "It's Tim!" A fellow LCTG member - I saw Tim in Joseph before I was in high school and these lyrics from the opening number always stuck with me:
" Some folks dream of the wonders they'll do
Before their time...
Suzanne Tennant
August 10, 2025 | IL | Friend
Tim was always the last to leave a party — a true testament to how much people loved being around him. An old friend from Los Angeles, he was part of that incredible circle of friends who made LA feel like home. Genuine, authentic, and deeply empathetic, Tim radiated such good energy. Rest in peace, Tim.
Kelli Konop
August 09, 2025 | NY | Friend
