GREGORY MARVIN LUTYENS, Ph.D.

Rock Falls, IL – Dr. Gregory Marvin Lutyens, 79, a dedicated lifelong educator, school superintendent, coach, mentor, pillar of the community, and cherished friend and family man, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Early Life and Education

Gregory was born on March 2, 1947, at Community General Hospital in Sterling, Illinois, to Marvin Earl and Madlyn (Nel) Norman Lutyens. Raised in Rock Falls, he attended Merrill School and Coleta Grade School before graduating from Milledgeville Junior High in 1961. He attended Milledgeville High School for two years completing his high school education at Belvidere High School, graduating in 1965.

He began teaching in the second semester of 1970 at Nelson Elementary School District 8 after earning his Bachelor of Arts in History and Education from Western Illinois University (WIU) in December of 1969. A passionate believer in the power of education, Gregory pursued higher learning with great determination. He later completed a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University in 1975, followed by an Educational Specialist Degree with a Superintendent Endorsement from WIU in 1984. In 2004, he achieved his ultimate academic goal, earning a Ph.D. in Education from Kennedy-Western University.

A Legacy of Educational Leadership

Dr. Lutyens’ career in education spanned more than four decades, leaving an indelible mark in the surrounding communities. Over the next 43 years, Gregory served the Nelson district in nearly every capacity imaginable: as a classroom teacher for the 7th and 8th grades, an athletic director, a coach, a principal, and ultimately as its Superintendent-Principal from 1987 to 2009, and Superintendent until 2013.

In 2013, he successfully guided the district through its consolidation with East Coloma District 12 to form the East Coloma-Nelson Community Elementary School District No. 20, serving as its first Superintendent until August 20 14. Before fully retiring on December 31, 2014, he stepped out of retirement to serve as the Interim Superintendent for Morrison CUSD No. 6. In his earlier years, Gregory also worked local summer jobs, including farm work, at the Chrysler Plant in Belvidere, Mallard Plastics, and Northwestern Steel & Wire.

Community and Service

Gregory was deeply committed to fraternal, civic, and professional organizations. He was an active leader in the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), serving as the Ethics & Welfare Chair, Secretary, a member of the Board of Directors, and Treasurer. He was also a member of the Educational League of Illinois.

A member of the First Congregational Church of Rock Falls, Gregory gave his time generously to his community. He was a longtime member and past President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Rock Falls since 1966. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (Sterling-Rock Falls Lodge 1218 and Dixon Lodge #779).

Being a Master Mason, Gregory was highly prominent in the Masonic community. He was a Life Member and Past Worshipful Master (2000) of the Rock Falls Masonic Lodge #936 (later merged with Rock River Lodge 612). His dedication extended to numerous other bodies, including the York Rite (Dixon), Scottish Rite (Freeport), Tebala Shrine (Rockford), Knight Masons, Allied Masons, and the Red Cross of Constantine. He also enjoyed spending time with friends at the Rock River Country Club and serving on the River View Road Committee.

Previously Gegory was also a part of the Rock Falls Athletic Boosters Club, was a member of the Rock River Country Club, the Sand Bar Yacht Club, and was the President of the Rock River Road Association.

Hobbies

An avid sports enthusiast, Gregory enjoyed golfing, boating on the Rock River, and attending Rock Falls High School football and basketball games. He also loved catching Western Illinois University football games with friends and following collegiate and professional sports.

Family

Gregory’s greatest joy was his family. On July 12, 1975, he married Phyllis Mary Kula, at Fischer Chapel on the Rockford College campus. He is survived by his daughters, Katherine Victoria Lutyens (Rodney Will) and Sarah Elizabeth Lutyens (Joseph Wainscott); and his beloved grandchildren, Skylar Elysa Wainscott, Jace Ryan Wainscott, Jaxon Gregory Wainscott, Taylor Wainscott, Alison Winters, and great-granddaughter Presley Winters.

He is also survived by his siblings: Douglas Henry (Marguerite "Vicki") Lutyens, Donald Earl (Carolyn) Lutyens, Kathleen Madlyn (John) Mayus, and James Mechling (Sandra) Lutyens, alongside many extended family members, former colleagues, and generations of students whose lives he enriched.

Gregory was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Phyllis.

Services

Visitation at Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling, IL on Friday July 24, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm with a Masonic Service at 6:30pm. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery on Monday July 27, 2026 at 11:00am followed by a luncheon from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at Parties on Pope in Nelson, IL.

A memorial has been established to the Rock River Masonic Lodge 612 Scholarship Fund.