Lora Faye Dills

1945 - 2025

Lora Faye Dills

May 29, 1945 - August 18, 2025

Lora Faye Dills, age 80, of Decatur, Ill., passed away peacefully at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, at The ARC in Forsyth, Ill.

Born on May 29, 1945, in Bridge Creek, Okla., Lora was the beloved daughter of Ralph Wilson and Rhoda Ethel Kee Testerman. She spent her early years at Bridge Creek and graduated from the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha, Okla.

Lora's life was marked by her dedication to family and community. She married Omar Carl Schmeusser, on June 14, 1966, in Chickasha, Okla., with whom she had her cherished daughter, Sandra Renee Schmeusser-Smith of Bloomington, Ill. Sandra and her husband Kevin lovingly raised their children Stephanie (Chance) Miller, St. Charles, Mo. with children Eva, Alaina, and Mason, also St. Charles, Mo., and Stuart (Bhavini) Sing-Smith, Los Alamos, N.M. and their daughter Naya of Los Alamos, N.M.

Lora later married Kenneth "Ken" Dills on September 16, 1989, at their family home in Decatur. Through Ken, she was blessed with a large extended family, including his children Pam Folger of Decatur, with grandchildren Sean (Sarah) McKinney and children Ben, Spencer, and Dewey of Columbus, Ind.; Nick Rainey of Champaign, Ill.; Lisa Caringer of Carterville, Ill., and her son Christian Caringer of Carbondale, Ill.; Kenneth Dills of Hunting Beach, Calif., and his children, Kenneth Dills, Eugene, Ore., Diane Dills of Santa Barbara, Calif.; David (Megan) Dills of Palm Desert, Calif., and their children, Lindsey Dills of Miami, Fla., and her children, Eden, Teva and twins Romi and Reef, Joseph Dills of San Diego, Calif.; Ryan Dills of Palm Desert, Calif.; and Michael (Shannon) Dills of Long Beach, Calif., with their children Jessica, Ethan, and Samantha.

Lora was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Alice Paige, Ola Mae Morrison, Helen Brown, Ruth Betterton, Lavelle Ragsdale; and brother, Monroe Testerman. She is survived by her brother, Roy (Linda) Testerman of Minco, Okla., and sister-in-law Lorinne Vozoff of Los Angeles, Calif.

Lora devoted over 35 years to the Macon County Rehabilitation Facility, which later became Macon County Resources, where she worked in the overseeing production of licensed plates for the State of Illinois and other facility contracts. She retired as Director of Sales and Production.

A past member of the Decatur Rotary Club, Lora's warmth and kindness touched many lives. She cherished spending time with her family and nurturing her beautiful flowers.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Calvert & Wikoff Funeral Home, 4020 N. Water St., Decatur, Ill., with Fr. Chris Comerford officiating. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service on the same day. Private interment will be held at a later date.

The family kindly suggests memorial contributions be made to St. James and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Decatur, Ill.

Lora will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. May her memory be a blessing.

Please share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com.