Jerry Richard Byers was born on April 8, 1929 in Lucas County, Iowa to Clinton Leland and Beulah Maud Richards Byers. He went to his eternal home after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of eighty-two.

On June 17, 1951 Jerry was united in marriage with Dora Louise Palmer in Russell, Iowa. They were blessed with five children: Joleen, Joyce, Janice, Martha, and Bruce.

For twenty-four years Jerry worked for HyVee Food Stores in Oskaloosa, Chariton, and Corning, Iowa. Then the family moved to Pella where he was employed as: owner/operator of Gambles Hardware Store, general manager of the Family Recreation Center (Dutch Buffet, Tulip Lanes, and Skating Rink), electrician for Vanden Berg Electric, and Director of Maintenance and Transportation for the Pella Community Schools.

Jerry was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Oskaloosa and later became a member of Berean Baptist Church in Pella. He enjoyed serving both congregations as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and treasurer. He also served as the church youth leader. He was the past president of Iowa Good Sam's Club, participated in the Torch Run for the Iowa Special Olympics, and volunteered at the Iowa State Fair for fourteen years. He served as president and treasurer of the JayCee's and Rotary Club. Jerry was a member of the Iowa National Guard for eleven years. He enjoyed woodworking and carpentry. One of Jerry and Louise's favorite past-time was to go camping and traveling through many states.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly sixty years, Louise of Pella; his children: P. Joleen and Lonnie Lee Gerber of Pella, Joyce A. Mattox of Pella, Janice E. and Jeffery S. Rost of Waverly, Martha R. and Rick A. Kindley of Knoxville, and Bruce A. and Pamela J.Sandry Byers of Noble, Oklahoma; fourteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; his brother and wife, J. Lester and Mary Elaine Byers of Sun City West, Arizona; his two sisters: Vira and the late Ed Whitlock of Piney, Tennessee and Bonnie Faye and Ralph Lang of Dallas, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents: Clinton and Beulah Byers; parents-in-law: Harold and Ruth Palmer all of rural Lucas County.

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:30 A.M. Thursday, June 9, 2011
Berean Baptist Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Berean Baptist Church
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Berean Baptist Church
Pella Dialysis Unit

INTERMENT

Columbia Cemetery
Columbia, Iowa

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