Tammy J. Mayer

MONTICELLO - Tammy J. Mayer, 61, of Monticello passed away Monday (Feb. 3, 2025) at 10:50 p.m. at home in Monticello.

Visitation will be on Friday, Feb. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hinds Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 348 N. Piatt St., Bement. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Tuscola United Methodist Church, 901 N. Prairie St., Tuscola. Pastor Bennett Woods and Pastor Mary Lou Mulvaney will officiate. Burial will be in Lewis Cemetery, Garrett.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Carle Cancer Clinic and the oncology floor at Carle Foundation Hospital.

Tammy was born on Aug. 25, 1963, in Urbana, a daughter of Gerald E. and Sandra Everence Reynolds. She married Mark Mayer on July 29, 2000, in Atwood, and he survives in Monticello.

Surviving is her father, Gerald (Nancy) Reynolds of Tuscola; sons, Josh (Danielle) Mayer of Champaign and Nathan (Kristin) Mayer of Edelstein; as well as granddaughter, Luna Mayer. Tammy is also survived by her siblings, Gerald (Mindy) Reynolds Jr. of Tolono, Robert (Barbara) Holt of Tolono and Penny (Jon) Hensley of Tuscola; two brothers-in-law, Steve (Netie) McCabe of Clinton and David (Cheri) Mayer of Monticello; as well as her sister-in-law, Karen Taylor of Bement.

She was preceded in death by her mother; two brothers, Jeffrey Rogers and Perry Holt; and infant sister, Gladys Reynolds.

Tammy went to Tuscola High School and continued her education at EIU, where she received her master's degree. She started her career at Douglas County Mental Health, where she held many positions over the years. She was so proud of the work she did helping people during those years. When she retired from the front lines in the mental-health field, she explored other lines of work, always working with people, she was such a massive social person. She worked at her family's restaurant, the IGA, the State Bank of Bement, the Bement elevator, and traveled as a contractor for the state auditing mental-health records and educating people in the field. She also loved working as a Mary Kay representative helping people with their skin care and looking their best. She was well known for holding down three or four jobs at the same time, always keeping busy and active.

Every place she worked, she was like a magnet for gathering friends. Many of those friends stayed with her forever. A specific group, known as the tribe, is a group of women that goes back into grade school and high school, and even some roommates during their college years remain so very close always. Their strength helped her through many tough times, as well as getting the most out of life during the good times.

The impact Tammy had on the lives of the medical professionals that were by her side was something that can't be measured. She changed lives, made people look at life differently, showed people how to live.

Tammy lost her mother at a very young age. This, however, started a bond between Tammy and her dad like no other that will last forever. Over the last 10 years, the bond built between Tammy and her second mom, Nancy, grew stronger every day. They built a need for each other that can't be explained except for love. Tammy's large family and the time spent meant the world to her. The impact Tammy had when she entered Mark, Joshuah and Nathan's lives can't be put into words.

We will always be so thankful that we were able to be a part of this amazing lady's gifts. I would say rest in peace now, Sweetheart, but I know you are now riding your bike, lifting weights in the gym, dancing, cooking, baking, shopping, visiting with people you have been missing and doing everything you have not been able to do for so long. Love you and forever and ever, Amen.

Aaron and Susie Hinds of Hinds Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Bement, have the honor to serve the family of Tammy J. Mayer, "Our family is here to serve your family." Please visit hindsfuneralhome.com to offer condolences.