Myron Dale Sailer, 94, a longtime resident of Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale and Downers Grove, passed away March 22, 2024, at his home.
Myron was born in 1929 in Evansville, Ind., the only son of Raymond and Clara Esche Sailer. He spent his early years in Evansville, but after the death of his mother when he was 13, he moved to the family farm near Mount Vernon, Ind., to be raised by his maternal grandparents. He attended Evansville College, earning a degree in engineering, then served his country during the Korean War in the Free Territory of Trieste, now Italy, rising to the rank of sergeant in the United States Army.
He married the love of his life, Alta Egli, in April 1955 at St. John's Methodist Church in Caborn, Ind. The couple moved to the Chicago suburbs in 1959, where he took on the role of plant engineer for General Foods, served as director of operations research for the University of Chicago Hospitals and retired as a manufacturing consultant with Applied Strategies International. The couple lived in the western suburbs where they lovingly raised their children, Jay (Mary Butler) and Julia (Steve Landes).
Friends and family will remember his infectious laugh, dry sense of humor and his love of family, travel, nature, photography, auto racing and Dixieland jazz. Myron traveled with Alta throughout the United States and Europe, always with his camera poised for the perfect shot. As his grandchildren grew (Ethan and Elizabeth Landes), his camera captured many priceless moments.
Myron especially loved southeastern Arizona, where the couple made their home in Green Valley during the winter. Their patio offered breathtaking views of the Santa Rita Mountains and Madera Canyon, a favorite area for hiking, birding and photography. He particularly loved the Golden Hour, when he captured countless desert sunsets on film. He warmly welcomed dear friends and family over those 20 years, enthusiastically sharing his many favorite national parks, mountain hikes and area attractions with all.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Hinsdale United Methodist Church, 945 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:15 p.m., followed by the celebration at 2 p.m. and time to gather and share memories afterwards.
Memorials may be made to Friends of Madera Canyon, P.O. Box 1203, Green Valley, AZ 85622 (online at http://www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org) or the Hinsdale United Methodist Church Copper Cross Endowment, c/o Hinsdale United Methodist Church, 945 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL 60521 (www.hinsdaleumc.com/endowment).
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
