Robert L. Ayers, 80, of Sublette died Jan. 14, 2008, in Mendota Community Hospital. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Sublette, with the Rev. Edward Hughes officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary?s Cemetery, Sublette, with military rites by VFW Post 4079. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Wednesday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Mr. Ayers was born Dec. 28, 1927, in Wayne City to Roy and Edith (Irwin) Ayers. He married Florence Witalka on Nov. 20, 1954, in La Salle. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, American Shorthorn Association, director of Tri- County Fair Association and a 50-year member of Elks Lodge 1212. He graduated from Mendota High School in 1948, and farmed in the Sublette area until his retirement. He is survived by his wife; one son, Craig (Darlene) Ayers of Compton; one daughter, Susan (Jeff) Wolf of Peru; 5 grandchildren; and two brothers, Donald (Florence) Ayers of Sublette and Loren (Marion) Ayers of LaMoille. He was preceded in death by one brother. Memorials may be directed to Mendota Education Foundation.