George S. Dyer

George S. Dyer, 77, peacefully passed away at home on September 5, 2026. A longtime resident of Elkhart, Indiana, George and his wife, Shirley, also spent their winters in Estero, Florida, where they enjoyed many years of retirement, friendships, and competition on the pickleball court and golf course.

George was born October 7, 1948, in Logan, West Virginia, to Homer and Joy Dyer. When he was five years old, his family moved to Madison, Indiana, where he graduated from Madison Consolidated High School in 1967. He went on to attend Taylor University, Marion College, and Ball State University, earning a bachelor’s degree, a Master of Arts, and an Educational Specialist degree in School Superintendency.

It was at Taylor University that George met the love of his life, Shirley Myers. They married on August 24, 1969, and recently celebrated 57 years of marriage. Together, they built a family and a life filled with friendships, adventure, laughter, and countless memories that they treasured throughout the years.

George was a lifelong educator who cared deeply about the communities he served. He began his career with Mississinewa Community Schools, where he taught Biology, General Science, and Physical Education.

In 1977, George and his family moved to Elkhart, where he began a 34-year administrative career with Concord Community Schools. Over the years, he served as Assistant Principal, Principal of Concord High School, Assistant Superintendent for Business for 13 years, and Superintendent of Schools for 13 years.

George believed strongly that education was about much more than what happened in the classroom. He was a strong advocate for students and believed extracurricular activities were an important part of a child’s education and development. He loved supporting the Concord Minutemen in everything from athletics to the fine arts and was proud of the many students, staff members, families, and friends he came to know through Concord. He loved Concord deeply and was honored to serve the Concord community. He greatly cherished his Concord memories.

George’s love of sports was constant throughout his life. He not only enjoyed participating in and watching sports, but he also served for several years as an IHSAA tournament official in football, basketball, swimming, track, and cross country. While living in Gas City, he served as Manager, Water Safety Instructor, Head Swim Coach, and Aquatics Director at the Gas City Municipal Swimming Pool. He also served as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Gas City Rescue Squad.

At Concord, he loved to be a part of the action, whether it was keeping the time clock at basketball games, sitting in the press box at football, cheering from the stands at tennis, or shuttling judges around at the band invitational.

George made one exception to his usual Concord loyalty and became an enthusiastic Northridge Raider golf fan. He loved watching his granddaughter compete on the golf team and never missed an opportunity to cheer her on. His allegiance to Concord, however, remained firmly intact when it came to every other sport. He was also a forever-fan and strong supporter of the Concord Marching Minutemen.

Retirement gave George and Shirley more time to enjoy many of the things they loved most. Wintering in Florida gave George the opportunity to fully embrace retirement. He loved playing golf and pickleball. More than simply playing the game, George enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm for pickleball and helping others learn to play. He was instrumental in bringing official courts to Pelican Sound, and he even became a certified pickleball referee.

He also enjoyed kayaking, cycling, shooting, photography, and traveling. George and Shirley traveled the world together, often joined by friends, creating memories they would talk about for years.

George was a leader and a planner who loved putting those skills to use even after retirement. He spent time working with Music Travel, coordinating educational trips for marching bands from around the country. And, true to form, he never really stopped being an administrator. He served on multiple boards within his retirement community, always finding a way to contribute, organize, and get things done.

Above all else, George was a man of faith who loved his family deeply. His greatest joy was being a husband, father, and grandfather. He was especially proud and thankful that all of his grandchildren know Jesus. His faith, his love for Shirley and his family, and his dedication to serving others will be remembered by all who knew him.

George is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley, of Elkhart and Estero, Florida; his son, Shane (Kari) Dyer of Elkhart; his daughter, Jenny (Doug) McGee of Beijing, China; and his grandchildren, Karisa Dyer of Elkhart and Elisha, Enoch, and Eva McGee of Beijing, China.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Joy Dyer.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 on Friday, September 11, 2026 at Brenneman Missionary Church in Goshen, 51115 IN 15, Goshen, IN 46528 and 9:30-11:00 on Saturday, September 12 prior to the Celebration of Life Service for George at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Starfish Project, 1010 Eisenhower Dr. Suite, A, Goshen, IN 46526, starfishproject.com/give Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting George’s family. Online condolences may be made to the Dyer family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com