Obituary for Kevin Wayne Lyerla

Dateline: Alton

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:4)

Kevin Wayne Lyerla, 59, passed away at 7:50 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at his home in Alton surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on December 23, 1956 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alton, the son of Everett and Shirley (Woodman) Lyerla. Kevin was a graduate of Alton High School, attended Western Illinois University, and completed his education at SIUC. While attending Alton High Kevin was a member of the track team as a high jumper. His skills and success won him a scholarship to Western Illinois University as a high jumper. In 2013 Kevin accompanied his father to Washington DC on the Illinois Veterans’ Honor Flight. Kevin always had a passion for cars that was born from his early exposure at his grandfather, Jess Woodman Sr.’s body shop. His passion was fed by taking any and all classes provided at Alton High and later at SIUC. While at Alton High Kevin participated in the Chrysler Challenge, won the Illinois state outstanding student award for his submission of an engine stand that he designed and built in his vocational welding class. Kevin was a lifetime member of NASCAR and the National Street Machine Club. He was a frequent attendee of NASCAR and Indy races. Kevin was happiest when working with anything mechanical. He designed and built several race cars and restored classic autos. For four years Kevin worked with the Principia College engineering students on their solar powered car. He was crew chief for several seasons with his racing buddy, Roger Wilkinson. Kevin was shop manager for a classic auto restoration company while living in Carbondale. He returned to Alton in 1983 to teach Auto Body at the JB Johnson Career Development Center. Kevin believed that not all students were destined for college and enjoyed teaching a trade that would support such students. Kevin retired from teaching in 2004 and returned full time to his true love of working on cars on a day to day basis. Kevin never turned away a customer, he would always come up with a solution that the customer could afford and get them and their car back on the road. In 2015 Kevin closed Lyerla Industries due to failing health. Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jess and Irene (DeOrio) Woodman Sr., step-grandmother Elizabeth (Ayers) Woodman, and Hersel and Minnie (Schmidt) Lyerla. He was also preceded in death by uncles and aunts, Jess Woodman Jr., William Woodman, Paul Woodman, Ramon Reed, Ted Parker, Junior Hermes, Francis Geisler, Peggy (Means) Woodman and Shirley (Maxeiner) Lyerla. Family and friends that left too soon include cousin Danny Lee Woodman, and friends Ricky Corondo and Maynard Jones. Kevin is survived by his parents, one son, Kane Lyerla of Bethalto, one sister, Sandra Christenson of Rosenberg, TX, one nephew, Zachary Christensen of Fort Worth, TX, and one niece Meghan Christensen of Perth, Australia. He is also survived by two uncles, Harvey Lyerla of Bethalto and Frank Besaw of St. Louis, MO; aunts Dina Reed of Charleston, South Carolina, Irene Besaw of Ferguson, MO, Alleyne Geisler of Godfrey, Amy Woodman of Godfrey and Sarah Woodman of Alton. In addition to family, he is survived by Mechelle Grissom, girlfriend and Roger Wilkinson, lifelong racing buddy. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until time of memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Reverend Randy Butler will officiate. At his request, cremation rites were accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the BJC Hospice of Alton and Siteman Cancer Center for Advanced Medicine, 4921 Parkview Pl., St. Louis, MO 63110. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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