Robert Lee "Bob" Ayers, 74, Celina, died at 11:30 a.m. May 30, 2011, at his residence.

He was born Nov. 26, 1936, in Montezuma, to Carlos and Myra Hazel Harris Ayers. On Feb. 25, 1956, he married Sarah Jane Blount, who survives.

Also surviving are children, Daniel Ayers, Lillington, N.C., Debby Garrett, Celina, Diane (Ronald) Jones, Douglasville, Ga; siblings, Paul (Martha) Ayers, Valdosta, Ga., Audrey Anderson, Celina; sister-in-law, Maryella Ayers, Leesburg, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Deceased are siblings and spouses, Kenneth and Marie Ayers, Eugene Ayers, Wilma and Virgil Wilcoxen; and brother-in-law, Herbert Anderson.

A Celina High School class of 1954 graduate, he retired from New Idea of Coldwater in 1999 after 33 years. He had also worked at Mersman Brothers Furniture, Celina. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Montezuma Fire Department and a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, Celina Lodge and was a 32nd degree Mason with the Scottish Rite.

Services are 11:30 a.m. Friday at Celina Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Larry Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow at Swamp College Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, where Masonic Lodge members will hold a service at 8 p.m. Calling is also one hour before services Friday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Community Health Professionals of Celina and Hospice, or to the Cancer Association of Mercer County.

Condolences may be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.