Cleo Eugene Dye

Cleo Eugene Dye, 88, of Monmouth, Il, passed away at 10:22 am on Monday, November 6, 2023 at his home.

Cleo was born on July 17, 1935 at home in rural Kirkwood, IL the son of Earl and Bertha (Biddenstadt) Dye. He was raised and educated in Kirkwood, graduating from Kirkwood High School in 1953.

Cleo was a member of the United States Army serving during the Korea War.

Cleo married Karen Walters on August 31, 1958 at the Walter’s family home in Kirkwood and she survives.

Cleo farmed his entire life around Kirkwood. 

He was raised in the Methodist faith. Cleo enjoyed and had a passion for collecting antique tools. He was a member of the Midwest Tool Collectors and the Corn Items Organization.  He had a love of nature and the outdoors where he was active in fishing, hunting, canoeing and camping.  He had an affinity for animals and babies. His family was his main focus in life.

Cleo is survived by his wife, Karen Dye; his children, David (Pam) Dye of Naperville, IL and Julie Dye of Oswego, IL; 4 grandchildren, Christian (Loren) Dye, Zachary (Karli) Dye, Alexandra Dye and Hunter Dye; 2 great grandsons, Kent Alexander Clark and Liam Cleo Dye; one brother, Ivan (Vanesse) Dye of Belvidere, IL; many nieces and nephews.

Cleo was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Laverne Dye and Larry Dye; and four sisters, May Shook, Dorothy Waddell, Maxine Reynolds and Ruth Guilinger.

Memorial services will be 2:30 pm Saturday, November 11, 2023 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. A private family interment will take place at Center Grove Cemetery, Kirkwood. Memorials may be given to Western Illinois Animal Rescue.   

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