Sonja Byard

SONJA J. BYARD, 73, of Arcola, IL passed away surrounded by her family at 3:45 A.M. on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main, Arcola, IL. Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Monticello Cemetery.

Sonja was born on July 18, 1939 in Monticello, IL. She was the daughter of Melvin Eugene and Opal Katherine (Peterson) Wimer. She married Kenneth Lee “Snoopy” Byard on October 28, 1965 in Brunswick, GA. He passed away on December 22, 2008.

She is survived by five children, Terry Lawson and his wife Jill of Bement, IL, Michael Lawson and his wife Joan of Monticello, IL, Debbie Sisk, Kenneth “Ken” Byard and his wife Nancy, and Kevin Byard and his wife April all of Arcola, IL; 1 brother, Albert Wimer and his wife Roseann of Shelbyville, IL; 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Sonja owned and operated “Snoopy’s 45” in Arcola, IL with her husband. She worked at AFSI of Champaign and retired after 15 years. She also worked later at Masterbrand of Arthur, IL.

Being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grand mother is what really mattered most to Sonja. She loved playing with her grandchildren and watching them play sports and was known as “GG” to her great-grandchildren. She loved to garden, watch the Dallas Cowboys, and NASCAR. Anyone that ever knew her, knew of her love and devotion to the dolphin.

Memorials may be made to the Douglas County Animal Shelter.