Alice Clara Ayers, a Wheaton resident since 1975, passed peacefully on Sunday Sept. 4, 2022 at the age of 84. Alice was born to Virgil & Delta (Coffelt) Martin in Des Moines, Iowa. She is survived by her children Andrew A. Ayers, VII, Tim (Donna) Ayers & Nancy (Mike) Rzeszutko and her grandchildren: Sam (Lindsey) Ayers, Dylan Ayers, Ellie Ayers, Alison Ayers, Matthew Rzeszutko, Tommy Rzeszutko & Emma Rzeszutko. She was preceded in death by her husband Andrew A. Ayers, Jr. (who died in 2018) and her brother Tim Martin of Des Moines, Iowa.

Alice attended Iowa State University where she earned a degree in Home Economics. Her passions were sewing, teaching, cooking, bible study and any activity that involved her family and especially her seven grandchildren.

On November 19, 1960, Alice married the love of her life, Andrew Arnold Ayers Jr. She met him in Columbus, Ohio at Broad Street Presbyterian Church. Together they raised three children, Andrew A. Ayers VII, Tim (Donna) Ayers and Nancy (Mike) Rzeszutko. The family actively attended First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton and she was deeply committed to her Christian faith. Alice sang in the church choir for many years along with her husband. Church was her source of countless enduring friendships.

In her professional life, Alice taught Home Economics in the Elgin School District U-46 for many years. Her love of sewing led her to own a Glen Ellyn fabric store known as Thread Needle Square. There she was able to teach sewing and mingle with equally interested seamstresses. In her free time Alice loved shopping at all the area fabric stores and was hired to teach sewing classes to children at some of them. Alice also taught sewing classes to children in her own home. As a result of her incredible talent, Alice custom made wedding dresses. The most special were for her own children's weddings. Another extra special garment she created was a gown worn by each of her grandchildren at their Christian baptisms. As a final testament to her loving and sweet personality, we share the impact she had on those around her even while she was challenged by her own Alzheimer's diagnosis. We have been continually amazed by how she comforted neighbors in her new community and gained love from caregivers simply by being a thankful recipient of their service.

Her greatest joy was helping to raise her grandchildren; Sam Ayers, Dylan Ayers, Ellie Ayers, Alison Ayers, Matthew Rzeszutko, Tommy Rzeszutko, and Emma Rzeszutko.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton, 715 N. Carlton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 11:00am. Immediately after the service, relatives and friends are invited to a time of fellowship and lunch at the church in Stewart Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton.