Exel Byers

EXEL D. BYERS, 85, of rural Tuscola, IL passed away at 1:15 A.M. on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at his residence in rural Tuscola, IL.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the First Christian Church of Arcola, IL. Rev. Donald Winch officiated. Burial was in the Tuscola Cemetery. Visitation was from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 23, 2009 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main in Arcola, IL.

Exel was born on March 23, 1924 in the Hidalgo, IL area. He was a son of Earl and Minnie (Bowers) Byers. He married Anna Stuart on December 23, 1944. She passed away on January 12, 1961. He later married Helen Seaman Stenger on November 18, 1961. She passed away on March 29, 2006. He later married Betty Bell on April 7, 2007.

He is survived by his wife Betty Byers of Tuscola, IL; eight children, Carol Stabler and her husband Larry of Fredericksburg, VA; Don Byers and his wife Nila of Decatur, IL, Ken Byers and his wife Linda of Arthur, IL, Larry Stenger and his wife Diana of Sullivan, IL, Garry Stenger and his wife Debbie of Hindsboro, IL Linda Daugherty of Charleston, IL, Steve Bell and his wife Sandy of Charleston, IL and Chuck Bell and his wife Jane of Greenup, IL. Exel is also survived by twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren and two brothers, Laverl Byers and his wife Dolores of Tuscola, IL and Jim Byers and his wife Beverly of Tolono, IL.

He was preceded in death by two wives, three brothers, Lester, Edward and Dean Byers, three sisters, Lola Shotts, Faye Juengling and Ellen Hayes Mills, a grandchild and a great-grandchild.

Exel was a member of the First Christian Church of Arcola, IL where he had served as an elder.

He had been a member of the Arcola School Citizens Advisory Committee and served as a member of the School Board.

He was also a member of the Douglas County Farm Bureau.

Exel farmed in the Hindsboro, IL area for over sixty years.

He enjoyed University of Illinois Basketball and watching his grandchildren play basketball.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Arcola, IL.