Emmett Eugene Boyer

Emmett Eugene Boyer, age 90, of Rogers, Ark. passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 23, 2015. He was born on Feb. 6, 1925 in Chicago, Ill., son of the late Charles Edward Boyer and Neva Elizabeth (Pence) Boyer. Emmett was a graduate of Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Ill. He attended Thornton Junior College in Harvey, Ill., majoring in chemistry. Emmett was a decorated WWII veteran serving in the army as a rifleman in Company G, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division. He was awarded a Silver star, a Bronze star with one cluster and a Purple Heart with two clusters. He received many other decorations and citations during his years of service before his honorable discharge in 1946. Emmett was a Superintendent of Grounds and Buildings for 12 years in the Bremen Community High School District 228. Emmett loved music and played the drums in school bands and in several drum and bugle corps. He was a member of the National Champion Drum and Bugle Corps, American Legion Squarepost #232 in 1941 at the age of 16. Throughout his life he continued his passion as a drummer teaching private lessons and attending Drum and Bugle Corps competitions whenever possible. He was a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois, Oak Forest Lodge No. 832, since 1956. In November 2013, he received an award of recognition as a Master Mason for his 50 years of faithful service. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 100 of Rogers, Ark. In his spare time he loved to fish and was an avid fisherman. He also enjoyed playing cards, gardening and was a voracious reader. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On Feb. 8, 1947, he was united in marriage to his loving wife of 66 years, Kathryn Elizabeth (Saeger) Boyer, who preceded him in death on May 2, 2013. He is survived by his 10 children, Carol Sinks of Fort Myers, Fla., Gloria & Brian Jones of LaPorte, Ind., Susan & James Brown of Rogers, Ark., Bruce & Sandy Boyer of Ogden Dunes, Ind., David Boyer of Springfield, Ill., Marcia Boyer of Palmyra, Wisc., Paul Boyer of Los Angeles, Calif., Joyce & Rich DeFrancesco of Hobe Sound, Fla., Lorna & Scott Imbery of Copper Canyon, Texas, Charles & Vickie Boyer of Rogers, Ark., his sister, Barbara Sue Dietrich of Punta Gorda, Fla., 17 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several granddogs and cats. He was preceded in death also by a great-granddaughter, Skyler Sue Gibson; brothers Charles Boyer Jr. and Stanley Boyer and a sister, Bethel Boyer. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service and internment of ashes will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Rogers, Ark. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Columbarium Fund. Arrangements are by Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, Lewisville, Texas.