Rev. John McElroy Byers ("Jack") died peacefully in his sleep Sunday evening January 17, 2016 at McCandlish Manor in Grand Blanc. A funeral service will be held at the First Congregational-United Church of Christ, 6494 Belsay Rd. Grand Blanc, on Tuesday January 26th at 1:00 PM, Pastor Rodger Good officiating.
The family will receive visitors beginning at 12 noon until the time of service, and a brief luncheon will be provided afterward. A private burial at Perry-McFarlen Cemetery is to follow.
Pastor Byers was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 7, 1919 to Rhea A. and Nelle I. (McElroy) Byers. His father was employed at Studebaker but died a young man of tuberculosis in 1920. Following his father's death, "Jack" moved with his widowed mother to her hometown of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania where he was raised. He graduated from Chambersburg High School in 1937. Jack studied at Gettysburg College receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941. Drafted into the service prior to WW II, he served as an instructor for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, until honorably discharged. Hearing the call of the ministry, he enrolled at Yale University-School of Divinity, and received a Masters of Divinity in 1949. While at seminary he met and married Alice Caroline Jacobson of Corvallis, Oregon (also attending), and they were united in marriage July 16, 1949. Rev. Byers was ordained a minister of the Congregational Church and began his ministry in Andover Ohio.
In 1953 he was asked to serve as the Assistant Superintendent of the Congregational Christian Churches on the Ohio Conference, while residing in Troy Ohio. In 1960 he moved to Sylvania Ohio to become the minister of the First Congregational Church-UCC, residing there until moving to Grand Blanc, Michigan in 1972. Here he accepted the Pastorate of the First Congregational Church-UCC on Belsay Rd, until his retirement in 1983. Continuing to be active, Pastor Byers served for a number of years as an interim pastor for various parishes in the area.
"Jack" and "Jakie" spent their later years happily pursuing their interest, enjoying their many friendships, and cherishing their time spent with family. Pastor "Jack" will be remembered by those who knew him as a kind, talented, and gifted man. He touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.
Preceded in death by his loving wife, on March 17, 2015, he leaves to cherish his memory sons: John M. Jr. and wife Julie Byers, Chris M. and wife Lynn Byers; Grandchildren Tyson and wife Kristie, Kasey, Alicia, and Peter; and Great Grandchildren Adysen and Trestyn.
Those desiring to contributions in Pastor Byers' memory may do so to the church's Memorial fund.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the many wonderful, caring professionals of Abbey Park, McCandlish Manor and Hospice Care. Please share your condolences at www.hansenfuneralhome.net