Calvin A. Tyer

Calvin A. Tyer, 96, of Polk City, Iowa, a proud son of Winterset, Iowa, died at home Saturday, August 14, 2021. Calvin Albert Tyer was born February 18, 1925, in a two-story house on East Filmore Street in Winterset. The youngest of Ray William and Lillie Belle (McDonald) Tyer’s seven children, he was raised on a farm north of Winterset near a place known as Skullyville where he graduated from the eighth grade at Madison Township country school. He moved to Winterset with his family in 1938 and graduated from Winterset High School in 1942. After high school, he joined the Marines. He served stateside as crew chief for a B-25 bomber at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, NC. After the war he returned to Winterset and worked in underground construction. On July 4, 1948, Calvin married Audrey Juanita Miller. They were married 66 years. Cal and Aud built three homes and raised four children together in Winterset. In 1963, he bought and operated the south Standard Oil Service Station just off the Winterset Square. Cal sold the station in 1971 and returned to construction work until he retired in 1991. In 1992, Cal and Aud bought and remodeled a home on the banks of the Truman Reservoir near Warsaw, MO, which they called Tyer’s Landing. In 2000, they sold Tyer’s Landing and moved to West Des Moines, Iowa, to help their son James build a house in nearby Polk City. The house became their home for the rest of their lives. Well into his 90s Cal would visit Winterset often. He enjoyed sitting on the city square watching the traffic and visiting with old friends. Calvin was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey, and two children, Larry Eugene Tyer and Judith Wilcox McMains. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Rae (Lloyd) Cunningham of Lakeland, FL, and son, James Ray Tyer of Polk City. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Family will greet friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Winterset. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11 am. Burial will be in the North McDonald Cemetery, northeast of Winterset. Memorials may be directed to Hope Charities and the Madison County Covered Bridge Preservation Association.