Lyle Dean Lee

1933 - 2024

Lyle "Steve" Dean Lee
Wrights - Lyle (Steve) Dean Lee, of Wrights, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on October 26, 2024, at age 91. He was born to Roy Dean and Regeina Elizabeth (Baldes) Lee on September 2, 1933, in a rural area North of Wrights Illinois. He attended Jerico Grade School and graduated from the Greenfield High School where he played football for the Tiger team and also threw the Disc for the track team. Lyle married Rebecca (Becky) Reif on July 19, 1958, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Ill. Together they spent a lot of their 66 years raising their two sons, Stephen and Scot.
After graduation, Lyle proudly served 2 years in the Army where he was assigned to Company "B" 1903 Engineer Aviation battalion Air Force base in the Korean conflict. After his service, he went to work at the Caterpillar Plant in Peoria Illinois. After a brief career at Caterpillar, he began his 28-year career as an Illinois State Trooper where he served the local area. In addition to his career as a trooper, after his father Roy's sudden passing at a young age, he assisted his mother to manage and operate the family farm in Wrights. After his mother Regeina passed, he purchased and continued to operate the farm for many years. In addition to farming, Lyle worked as a crop adjuster where he met many new friends. Later in life he and his son Scot renovated the dairy barn into a lodge (Little Creek Outfitters) that housed many hunters from all over the states. Lyle enjoyed company whether it was his family or at the coffee shop. As long as he was able, he made the 8-mile trip to Greenfield, White Hall or Carrollton to catch up on the local news and events in the community. He never knew a stranger, and would frequently strike up a conversation with someone that he had never seen before. While living in Brighton in his early years, he managed and help run the local Khoury League baseball teams. He was also active at the Wood River Sportsmen Club.
He is survived by his wife, Becky of Wrights, sons, Stephen (Linda) and Scot (Lesa) Lee, brothers and sisters, Mary Williams, Linda Ingold, Maurice (Jill) Lee and Marcia (Kent) Hannant, grandsons: Travis (Ashlie) Lee, Brandon (Brittany) Lee and Dorson (Rebecca Van Bebber) Lee, granddaughters Ashlie (Chris) Gerbanski and, Crystal Lee (Tony Black), a very special niece who was always there for him, Diane Schirz, and many other nieces and nephews, great grandchildren: Angela Lott, Breanna Lee, Dustin and Mason Cunningham and, Aaron Davis. Step father-in-Law and longtime friend, Richard Merhoff and Father John Day, Illinois State Police Chaplin who made special time to visit and pray with him and family shortly before his passing.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Regeina, sister Joyce Strang, mother and father-in-law, Florence Mehrhoff and Mather "Poncho" Reif. Granddaughters Angela Lee and Bristal Lee, niece, Lori Williams, nephew, Jeff Williams and very special friend and fellow trooper Frank Kozicki.
Arrangements will be provided by Shields- Bishop Funeral Home of Greenfield. Visitation will be held 4 to 7 pm. Thur. Oct 31 at First Baptist Church Home @ 1152 NE 575 St. Greenfield Ill. A funeral service will be held Friday Nov 1 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church, conducted by Pastor Stephen Jacobson. Burial will be at Wrights cemetery with VFW salute and ceremony. Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Carrollton or the Tiger Backers booster club in Greenfield. Please leave a memory or condolence at shields-bishopfh.com.