Leah "Faye" Kyger

Leah Faye “Faye” (Bogott) Kyger, age 97, a longtime resident of West Chicago, Illinois passed away peacefully at her home on March 25, 2026.

She was born June 16, 1928 to Frederick “Fred/Ted” Schwenk Bogott and Celia Mae (Dunbar) Bogott in Sterling, Illinois. Faye was the last survivor of seven children.

Faye was a member of the Greatest Generation. During WWII (while still in high school) she sorted bomb pins while her future husband was a B-17 tail gunner flying missions over Germany.

Faye was united in marriage to the late Clarence Jay “Merk” Kyger in Rock Falls, Illinois on December 27, 1947. They were married for 60 years. Their early marriage years were in DeKalb, Illinois during her husband’s college years at Northern Illinois University. They moved to West Chicago, Illinois in 1957, where they raised their three daughters.

While raising their three daughters, Faye commuted from West Chicago, Illinois to DeKalb, Illinois, attending Northern Illinois University for her continued education in Early Childhood Education.

Faye had a compassionate heart for young children. She enjoyed seeing the young children flourish while she was an owner/administrator-teacher at Tick Tock Nursery School and Gingerbread Day Care in West Chicago, Illinois. Faye served on Early Childhood Education Boards (at College of DuPage), and also served on the West Chicago, Illinois First Congregational Church’s board, and was a lifetime Deacon.

Faye enjoyed working in her yard with flowers and plants and spending time with her family.

Faye is survived by her three daughters, Kathy (Robert “Denny”) Mell, Kary (Mark) Vitali, Kelly (Reed) Dawson, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Faye is preceded in death by her parents Frederick “Fred/Ted” Schwenk and Celia Mae (Dunbar) Bogott, all of her brothers and sisters, and her husband Clarence (Merk) Kyger.

The family will celebrate Leah Faye’s life in an intimate gathering.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Faye’s honor can be made to New Hope United Methodist Church, 643 E. Washington Street, West Chicago, Illinois. Or another of her favorite causes: voicesandfaces.org, started by her dear friend Anne K. Ream, which supports women who have experienced sexual violence.