Lois S. Dayton

Lois Sarah Dayton, 81, of Savanna, Illinois passed away on September 6, 2010 at home after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. Lois was born April 18, 1929 in Presho, South Dakota, the daughter of Andrew and Olive (Wills) Bahr. Moving at an early age to Galena, Illinois. She was a 1947 graduate of Galena High School. Lois married William J. (Bill) Dayton on April 24, 1948 in the First Presbyterian Church in Galena. They soon were the proud parents of three sons over a span of less than five years: Darryl (LeAnne) of Sedona, AZ; Craig (Christine) of Belvidere, IL; and Barry of Palm Springs, CA. After moving to Savanna in 1963, their family grew further through the addition of two very special exchange students who lived with them while attending Savanna High School. Lois and Bill have kept in contact and traded multiple visits with Staffan (Lil) Ottosson of Karlskrona, Sweden and Mary Hoey (Dave) Henderson of Perth, Australia. Over these same years, Lois and Bill counted their blessings with the addition of grandchildren Erica (Shawn) Rathje of Phoenix, AZ; Melissa Dayton of Belvidere, IL; and Andrew Dayton of Madison, WI; as well as step-grandchildren Jennifer (Seth) Green of Dixon, IL and Kateri Nesbitt of Savanna. Lois and Bill felt the benefit of marrying so young as they enjoyed watching their three great grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren grow and develop as beautiful promises of a new generation. Lois was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Savanna, serving over the years as an elder and a deacon, as well as many years as church treasurer. In addition, Lois was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, serving in various chair positions, and the Beta Sigma Phi and PEO service organizations. She was a past president of Beta Sigma Phi and served as treasurer for both clubs. Both she and Bill were Paul Harris Fellows in Rotary.Those who knew Lois felt her kind and generous spirit as she served her community quietly and without expectation of reward or recognition, always putting the needs of others before her own. Bill, their sons, and the entire extended Dayton family are so grateful to family and friends who, in turn, showed Lois so much love and support during her illness. Their many cards, visits, and gifts of food sustained body and spirit while their prayers did the same for Lois’s soul over this very difficult time. Lois went to her Lord with the comfort of knowing she was surrounded by love. Lois is survived also by her elder sister Ethel (Glenn) Harkness of Kent, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Wilbur and Dale, and sister Doris, as well as several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 10, at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 11, at the First Presbyterian Church in Savanna. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Galena. Those wishing to make memorials are encouraged to consider the First Presbyterian Church in Savanna.