James D. Bayer, 76, of Washington, IL, passed away on March 5, 2025. He was born on September 18, 1948, in Peoria, IL, to Charles F. Bayer and Ethel A. Bayer (Farden).
On September 30, 1967, James married his beloved wife, Barbara Bayer, in Peoria, IL. Together, they raised two daughters, Jamie Bennington (Bayer) and Kelli Boeckmann (Bayer). James was a loving and proud grandfather to Reily and Evan Shawgo, Dakota and Natalie Bennington, Noah and Libby Bennington, Gracie and Mathew Wagner, Molly Bennington, and Connor Boeckmann. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren Brinley, Charlie, Brooks, and Hansen. In addition to his immediate family, James cherished his nieces and nephews, who were an important part of his life.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ethel Bayer, and his siblings Joann and Woody Woods, and Joyce and Jerry Knickerbocker.
James graduated from Woodruff High School in Peoria, where he was known for his athleticism, excelling as a star player

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/james-bayer-obituary?id=57830684