Byler, Oliver Raymond (1887-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Oct 14 p. 10

Birth date: 1887 Apr 14

text of obituary:

OLIVER RAYMOND BYLER

God, in His all-wise providence, saw fit to transform his child, Oliver Raymond Byler, from this earthly habitation to his heavenly body on Sept. 20, 1954.

He was 65 years old, the oldest child of Christian and Sadie Good Byler. He was born April 14, 1887, near Newton, Kansas. At seven he moved with his parents to a farm near West Liberty, Ohio.

At the age of twelve he was baptized and became a member of the Bethel Mennonite church. Here he served as Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, trustee and chorister at various times for many years. He was very much devoted to his church and enjoyed helping it whatever way he could.

One brother, John, preceded him in death and four remain: Mark and Paul, West Liberty: Earl, Smithville, Ohio; and Milford, Spartansburg, Penna. Four sisters also remain: Mrs. Henry Mosher, Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Mrs. Stephen Hostetter, West Liberty; Mrs. Chauncey Kauffman, now in Germany; and Mrs. John Allgyer, Plain City, Ohio.

He was united in marriage to Rose A. Stoltzfus on Sept 21, 1913. This union was blessed with six sons and two daughters. Rose preceded him in death on Jan. 20, 1933, after a short illness.

On Feb. 14, 1935, he was married to Martha A. Detweiler. This union was blessed with two sons. One son, Richard, preceded him in death, and the remain children are Floyd of Sarasota, Florida; Frank, missionary to Argentina; Roy and Ruth, West Liberty; Mary, Mrs. Jonas Classen, now serving under the MCC in Weiler, France; Arthur, Philadelphia, Penna.; Robert of Columbus, Ohio; Elmore and Ellsworth, at home, and 13 grandchildren.

His main concern was that he might serve his Lord and help others to find the blessing of living for Him. He spent many happy hours with those about him, conversing on Biblical truths. He especially loved music, and one of his greatest delights was to sing the great, ageless hmyns[sic].

During his illness of approximately two years he clung to God for his strength and found greatest comfort from the blessed Word of God and the many prayers offered in his behalf.

Funeral services were held on Sept. 23 at the Bethel Mennonite church by Rev. Edward Stoltzfus and Rev. Loren King. He himself had chosen the text for the service, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21. Four selections of song which he had also chosen were rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Gail Yoder and Mrs. Roy Yoder. They were, O Holy Saviour, Jesus Thy Boundless Love To Me, God Knows What Is Best, and How Beautiful Heaven Must Be.

His four brothers, Paul, Mark; Earl and Milford, and two brothers-inlaw[sic], Stephen Hostetler and John Allgyer, were the bearers.