FAYETTE — Graveside services for Arthur J. “AJ” Dyer, 84, of Gary, Ind., who died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2011, in Gary, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Locust Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Percy Turner officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Spencer Funeral Home in Fayette.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Dyer was born in Lorman, the son of William and Rosetta Dyer. He had nine siblings, four sisters and five brothers. He was the grandson of Aaron Parker and Nellie Pearl.

AJ served a tour of duty in 1945 with the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged.

He was married to Elnora Dyer for more than 63 years. To this union four children were born, Lee, Shirley, Aaron and James.

AJ confessed Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. His favorite saying was “always put God first in your life” and “charity begins at home and spreads.” He never let any of his children forget these words.

AJ was employed by Amtrak for more than 34 years. After retirement, he moved back to Lorman to live with his son. After the death of his son, Aaron, in 1996, he returned to Chicago to live with his daughter, Shirley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elnora Dyer, who died Dec. 28, 2009; one son, Aaron Dyer; three sisters; and four brothers.

Survivors include one daughter, Shirley Ann Dinkins of Chicago; two sons, Lee Andrew Dyer Sr. and wife, Jackie, of Country Club Hills, Ill., and James Calvin Dyer of Chicago; five grandchildren, Caren Dinkins, Ned Dinkins, Lee Dyer Jr., Jesse Willer and Maurice Dyer; one great-grandson, Calvin Darnell Dinkins; two great-great-granddaughters, Hailey Dyer, Lauren Dyer; and great-great-great-granddaughter, Lyanna Dinkins, who all were the love of his life; one sister, Minnie Lee Orey of California; one brother, Bernard Banks of Fayette; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law, family and friends.