We lost a great cook, baker, euchre player, prankster and friend when Fern decided it was her time to go!  Fern Irene (Laity) Moyer was born in the family farmhouse on Carr Road, near Scales Mound on September 16, 1934, to (Clifford) Earl Laity and Myrtle (Eversoll) Laity. She graduated as Salutatorian from Scales Mound High School in 1952, and was both excited and proud when Abby did the same thing at Galena High School in 2019.

On February 12, 1956, she married (Lawrence) Arthur Moyer at the Scales Mound Methodist Church.  Fern worked many jobs over the years: secretary (at the FBI), bartender (Dutch and Kate’s), waitress (Log Cabin and Rusty’s), caterer (mostly Turner Hall events), clerk (Hartig’s), but her most loved occupation was being a mom, to not only her own kids, but most of the neighborhood.  However, that was surpassed when she became a grandmother to Abby and Ben and her life got even better!

Have you ever wondered, over the years, how many:  loaves of bread she baked (Thursdays)?  Dozens of caramel and cinnamon rolls she baked (Saturdays and bake sales)?  Pounds of potato salad she made?  Sandwiches she made for concessions at Save Turner Hall Thursday night bingo? GHS band uniforms she hemmed (she had kids in band for 14 consecutive years)?  World’s Finest Chocolate candy bars she paid for because the darned things were eaten but not sold?  Bowling balls she threw on Tuesday night league?  Dimes she bet at cards afterwards at Dutch and Kate’s?  Dinners she served and dishes she hand-washed at the Elks or concession stands she worked? Beyond count!

She chose to leave in her sleep on March 17th, 2025.  (This was quite fitting, since she had chaperoned many GHS band trips to the Chicago St. Patrick’s Parade.)  Currently a member of the Galena Elks Club, Galena Eagles Club, honorary member of the GHS Class of ’75, chaperone at “Arty’s Garage” and previously was a board member of the Save Turner Hall project.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, Virginia Laity, brothers Jim and Keith Laity, her husband, Art and a son, Bob.  Surviving are her daughter, Lorie, sons Rodney and Wayne, “Arty” (Laura),  all of Galena, and Tom (San Francisco).  Also surviving are  grandchildren Abby Moyer (Chase Meyer) and Ben Moyer, of Galena.

Her funeral will be at 11am Thursday, March 27 at the Scales Mound United Methodist Church, with Libby Rutherford officiating. Burial will follow at the Scales Mound Twp. Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the church from 4:00-7:00 Wednesday, March 26 and from 10:00-10:45 Thursday prior to the service. The Miller-Steinke Funeral Home of Scales Mound is assisting the family.

Donations in her memory are requested to go to the Galena Elks Food Baskets, Galena Eagles Building Fund or The Workshop.  We would like to offer a special “Thank You” to the staff at Midwest Senior Care as you became a part of her life over the last few years.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©