Byler, Amanda Ellen Troyer (1882-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary:1974 Jun 6 p. 11

Birth date: 1882 Mar 9

text of obituary:

AMANDA ELLEN BYLER

Amanda Ellen (Troyer) Byler was born on March 9, 1882 in Holmes County, Ohio, the daughter of Eli and Susannah Oswald Troyer, and died at the Virginia Mennonite Home, Harrisonburg, on April 28, 1974, at the age of 92.

She lived in Kansas and at Arthur, Ill. and West Liberty, Ohio before her marriage. On Aug. 12, 1908 she was married to Rev. John Ira Byler, who was a minister in the Mennonite Church and also a minister in the Church of the Brethren. They served pastorates in Toronto, Ontario; in the northeaster section of Ohio; Indiana; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; and Chicago, Ill. Rev. Byler preceded her in death on April 26, 1970.

In the late 1920's and through the 1930's and into the early 1940's the John I. Byler family toured the United States and Canada from coast to coast, giving family music programs in Mennonite, Brethren and other churches.

Mrs. Byler was a member of the Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Ind. She had been a resident of the Virginia Home since Oct. 2, 1973.

Surviving are six sons, J. Harold Byler of Galax, Va., Rev. John T. Byler of Canton, Ohio, Rev. S. Elmore Byler of Carlisle, Pa., Rev. James E. Byler of La Fayette, Ga., Rev. David O. Byler of Northfield, N. J.; four daughters, Mrs. James Kutnow Sr. of Broomall, Pa., Mary L. Byler of Brewster, Ohio, Mrs. David Palaci Sr. of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Mrs. Roy D. Roth of Harrisonburg, Va.; one sister, Mrs. S. W. Witmer of Goshen, Ind.; 25 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held at the Harrisonburg Mennonite Church on May 1, 1974. The officiating clergyman was Rev. Samuel Janzen, pastor of the church. Mrs. Miriam K. Byler of the EMC music faculty, played prelude and postlude music on the organ. Lowell J. Byler of the EMC music faculty led four congregational hymns. The Eastern Mennonite College Singers, directed by Mrs. Byler's son-in-law, Roy D. Roth sang two numbers.

A graveside service was held on Thursday morning, May 2, at the East Nimishillen Cemetery near Canton, Ohio. Rev. James E. Byler officiated.