Doris J. Dye was born to Virgil and Nellie Pate on August 22, 1940 in rural Warren County, as one of six siblings. She married her beloved husband, Larry, in 1958, devoting herself to him in life, and now joining him in death. Together Doris and Larry created family, and invested in their community. For a number of years Doris supported her family as a seamstress, a skill that allowed her to sew for those she loved. Eventually Doris helped Larry to create Dye Roofing and Construction, the business they ran for 45 years. Larry tended the work, while Doris tended everything else. Their care of the community was due to Doris’s deep compassion for people. She refrained from judgement, rarely uttering a critical word. Her own life experience shaped her to believe that people are doing the best they can with what they have, which drove her to help, always quietly, as often as she was able. It was with her family that Doris invested in her life’s best work. Never was there a holiday she didn’t host, ensuring magic was woven into every celebration, and too much butter into every meal. She will be remembered in the traditions her grandchildren continue to practice.
Doris’s love of her family was testified to by her enduring patience. She spent days in boats waiting for fish to be caught, and long mornings keeping breakfast warm while her husband and grandkids went hunting. She endured Larry’s antics, and held her breath every time he brought home another ATV or go-cart for the grandkids to nearly injure themselves on. Miraculously, injuries never occurred, likely because of the insistent prayers she whispered from the sidelines. While Larry’s music was the soundtrack of the family, it’s Doris’s laughter they’ll most remember. She laughed easily, and often, in a way that invited everyone in, and created peace wherever she happened to be.
On December 18, 2023, at the age of 83, she gifted her family with that peace for the last time, assuring them she was ready, before passing away. She was faithfully cared for every day by her daughter, Vicki, and is grieved by her grandchildren and great grandchildren who will forever miss their “Grandma Dory.”
Doris is survived by her daughter, Vicki Lantz; five grandchildren, Nic (Ashlee) Lantz, Matt (Ali) Lantz, Hallie (Nick Dorn) Hottle, Hannah (Keenan) Cave, and Dalton (McKaylee) Hottle; ten great grandchildren; sisters Shelly (Chuck) Shirey, Terry Pate; and brother Ron (Katherine) Pate. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tammi Hottle; husband, Larry Dye; brother, James Pate; and sisters Sandy Pate, Virginia (William) Smith, and Patty (Jerry) Sloss.
Her family will hold a private memorial at a later date. Memorial gifts are welcomed in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and can be sent to the funeral home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Is in charge of the arrangements. For more information, please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
