Paul R. Byers

Paul R. Byers, age 90, of Lawrenceville, Illinois passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the United Methodist Village in Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was born on November 29, 1929 in Claremont, Illinois, the son of Austin N. and Myrtle J. (Atkins) Byers. He married Alice Wing on September 03, 1949 and she preceded him in death on November 27, 2011. He married Marcia Creager Yocum on June 15, 2013 and she survives.

Paul graduated from Eastern Illinois State University with his Master’s Degree in Education. He was a teacher for 35 years. He taught at Louisville, Wellington, Peoria, and then retired from Waukegan. During the summers, between teaching, he worked at the Shoe Factory, Caterpillar, and Precision Metals. After he retired, he repaired typewriters and clocks. He was an avid reader, and especially enjoyed reading Westerns. He enjoyed doing crossword and sudoku puzzles, as well as traveling with his wife, Alice. He and his wife, Marcia, enjoyed spending winters in Florida, and working for the Mariners Group MIM work camps. His memberships included the Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport, the Mariners Group MIM, and the Historical Society. He always made the comment that ‘The boy left Claremont and never returned.’ Paul spent many hours studying the life of Abraham Lincoln and to quote one of Abe’s favorite quotes, ‘Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.’

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Alice; two brothers, Dale Byers and Lowell Byers; and one sister, Fern Mann.

Survivors include his wife, Marcia; four children, Karen Byers of Waukegan, Illinois, Marcia Julian and husband, Joseph of Waukegan, Illinois, Janice Byers of Friendship, Wisconsin, and Nancy Mason and husband, Marc of Grants Pass, Oregon; five grandchildren, Colin Byers, Erin Beake, Don Julian, Hugh O’Donnell, and Hannah Figgins; and three great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be conducted on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Antioch Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice. Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.

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