Poplar Grove, IllinoisGrace Dyer, 86, Poplar Grove's biggest Cub fan passed away Saturday, July 4th in Rockford Memorial Hospital. She was born July 6, 1922 in Pekin, Illinois the daughter of John and Edna (Barnett) Elston. She moved to Rockford as a child and graduated with the last class of the Old Rockford high School in 1940. Grace married Junie Brace on June 2, 1941; Junie passed away in October of 1973, she then married Larry Dyer who passed in 1983.Gracie loved all sports. She was an avid bowler, winning many local and state awards, and also loved to play golf with her two brothers and her grandson Jamie; but most of all, she was a big Cubs fan. Gracie loved to play cards; she loved her family and loved the Poplar Grove United Methodist church where she worshipped.She leaves to morn her passing, her children, Gary (Vickie) Brace of Poplar Grove, Sharon Humble of Poplar Grove; grandsons, Joe Hamblock, Jed (Rachel) Hamblock, Jamie (Tonya) Peter and Jeff (Stacy) Brace; step grandchildren, Mike (Lisa) Hopperstad, Joe (Roxanne) Hopperstad, Kelly (Mike) Holsker, Amy Hopperstad, Larry (Laura) Dyer and Lori Ann Dyer; 12 great grandchildren; brother LaVern Elston; sisters, Eileen Reynolds, Bonnie Yount; sister in-law, Mary Elston; special friend, Hetty Church and special niece, Chris Olson; many nieces and nephews and her many friends in the North Woods.Gracie is predeceased by her parents, John and Edna Elston; first husband, Junie Brace and second husband, Larry Dyer; brother, Jack Elson, Brother in-law, Jim Reynolds; sister in-law Kay Elson; step son, Bill Dyer and step daughter, Pat Hopperstad.

A memorial will be established with the Poplar Grove United Methodist Church in Gracie's name.