Everett Byer

Everett Byer, age 95, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of the Sabetha and Hamlin area, passed away October 23, 2008 at a retirement home. Everett was born November 19, 1912 in Hamlin, Kansas, the son of Levi and Mary (Book) Byer. He attended Hamlin High School and graduated in 1930. After high school Everett went off to college for three years and returned home to the family farm. On March 21, 1940 Everett was united in marriage to Adela Tissot in Chino, CA. They established their home in Hamlin, KS and had four children.

Everett was a Sunday school teacher of adult classes much of his adult life. He received the Bankers Award for soil conservation in 1945. He was a member of the Brethren in Christ Church in Hamlin and the NorthRidge Church in Sabetha. He served in many capacities at the NorthRidge Church, but most notably as a Deacon. Everett also served on the Brown Co. Committee Service for the Elderly for a number of years. Everett was a member of Gideons International for more than for 40 years. Everett lived from a global perspective. He had a great interest in the welfare of people around the world.

Everett was preceded in death by both his parents; and infant daughter, Ruth Irene Byer in 1941; siblings, Glen Byer, Lois (Byer) Martin, Verland Byer, Wendel Byer, and Donald Byer; and son-in-law, Dr. Bruce T. Groff (Janet). He is survived by his wife Adela; two sons, Dr. David Byer and his wife Jeannie of Rochester, MN, Les Byer and his wife Celia of Marion, KS; a daughter, Janet Groff of Sioux Center, IA; a sister, Carol (Douglas) DuCharme of Goleta, CA; 11 grandchildren, Sarah Dukek (Brian), Andrew Groff (Theresa), Matthew Groff (Katie), Lois Caffrey (Joe), Brian Byer (Sharon), Elaine Heuton (Joel), Craig Byer, Glenn Byer (Karli), Paul Byer (Lizzy), Eric Byer, Chris Byer (Stephanie); and 10 great-grandchildren.


Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the NorthRidge Church in Sabetha. A visitation will be held Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. Interment will take place at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be left to Gideons International or the NorthRidge Church Building Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.