Lanny "Ross" Salyer

Lanny “Ross” Salyer, age 84, died peacefully on January 10, 2026 at Thrive of Lake County, in Mundelein, Illinois, where he resided in recent years following a long journey with dementia. Born on December 19, 1941 in a two story farmhouse in Salyersville, Kentucky. Ross carried with him a lifelong sense of curiosity, creativity, and wonder about the world.

Ross was married to Judith Salyer, his beloved wife and partner, who survives him. He was the proud father of Casandra Dawe (children, Samantha and Alexandra), Christina Cross (child, Zachary), Lara Salyer Smith (children, Owen, Emery, and Beckett), Katie (John) Salyer Szostak (children, Logan and Channing), and Adam (Amy) Salyer (children, Coraline, Eleanora, and Lilith). He is also survived by his sister, Becky (Jack) Barber, sister-in-law, Betty Salyer; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie and Patrick Salyer; and his brother, Randy Salyer.

Ross’s career was built from a strong foundation of Wildcat pride with a bachelor’s of science at the University of Kentucky. After receiving a masters in chemistry, he worked in quality assurance for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The capstone of his professional journey didn’t arrive until his 60’s when his FDA auditing work allowed him to fulfill a lifelong dream to travel the world. He visited 94 US suppliers in 22 states and 60 foreign suppliers in 15 countries, an experience that fed his deep fascination with science, systems, and the interconnectedness of the world.

Ross valued education deeply and taught his children how to study, think critically, and approach learning with confidence. He was immensely proud that each of his children went on to earn advanced degrees. He delighted when his kids outsmarted him and encouraged them to be bold and big. He dutifully wore his kids’ college merch but also amassed a collection of Chicago Bulls and Bears sweatshirts over the years as evidence of his love for Chicago sports.

Beyond his professional life, Ross was a man of art, music, and play. He could effortlessly draw Disney characters without reference and once served as a political cartoonist for his college newspaper. He would proudly proclaim in mixed company that he was an accomplished pornographic cartoonist as well. He enjoyed comedy, the raunchier and more provocative the better. He appreciated the controversy and depth of George Carlin and Richard Pryor, while wheezing at the slapstick of Mel Brooks. He loved all kinds of music, from bluegrass to southern rock, but his heart belonged to 1950s oldies. Despite his hearing loss, Ross loved to whip the ladies around on the dance floor doing the jitterbug. His car was never without a cassette tape, blasting Danny and the Juniors or Chuck Berry, while he navigated Chicagoland streets by memory, long before GPS. In his final years, it was the sound of Elvis crooning from a set of headphones that could lift the fog of dementia, and his face would light up while his fingers danced on the table.

Ross will be remembered for his easy laughter, unshakable curiosity about the cosmos, love of art and music, his booming voice and dancing feet, the sparkle in his eye, and his enduring pride in his children and grandchildren.

A service will be held on Saturday, January 24, at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, Illinois. Family gathering begins at 9:00 a.m., visitation at 10:00 a.m., and the service at 11:00 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Journey Care for the care and support they provided in his final months, especially Nurse Kate.

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