By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
10 Comments
  • Visitation

    Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022
    5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Oak Valley Free Will Baptist Church
    west of Geff, IL

    Friday, Feb. 18, 2022
    10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Oak Valley Free Will Baptist Church
    west of Geff, IL

  • Service

    Friday, Feb. 18, 2022
    11:00 AM
    Oak Valley Free Will Baptist Church
    west of Geff, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Shirley Ruth Byars, 86, of Geff, IL, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at her home with her family by her side.

    Shirley was born March 7, 1935, in Keenes, IL to Lester and Elsie Mae (Greenwalt) Cornstubble Smith.  She married Glen Dale Byars December 29, 1957, at Ten Post Oak Church in Keenes, IL.  He preceded her in death on October 21, 2017.

    Shirley was a teacher, known as “Mrs. B”, for a total of thirty-seven years before fully retiring.  She taught various grades and subjects at multiple schools, but primarily taught Home Economics and enjoyed being an FHA sponsor.  Shirley was a member of the Wayne County Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Society International, the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Lamard Home Extension, and was a 4-H leader.  She was also a member of Oak Valley Free Will Baptist Church where she played piano and taught Sunday school class.  She was both an expert seamstress and a great cook, and she enjoyed taking on sewing and quilting projects and making food for others.  She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, loved spending time with them, and displaying her newest pictures of them in her home.

    Shirley is survived by five children, Patti (Mark) Owen, of Fairfield, IL; Sherri (Lawrence) Pennington, of Cisne, IL; Ritchie (Anita) Byars, of Geff, IL; Cindy (Spencer) Meagher, of Mt. Vernon, IL; and Rodney (Brooke) Byars, of Geff, IL.  Also surviving are her grandchildren Candice (Caleb) Holbrook, Ryan (Lindsey) Owen; Andrew (Jessica) Pennington, Laurel (Kevin) Mason; Megan (Eric) Spitzner, Matthew (Meghan) Byars, Marissa (Mitchell) Levi; Kelly (Cody) Pratt, Jay (Erik) Rigdon, Joe Meagher, Hayden (Amelia) Byars, Chloe (Cameron) Gibson, and Chynna Byars; and great-grandchildren Haley and Kayson Holbrook; Janelle and Camilla Owen; Bristol and Rawlings Pennington; Brendon, Emily, and Lane Mason; Caroline Spitzner; Colson Byars; Lydia Levi; Henry and Lincoln Pratt; Brock and Brett Byars; Luke Gibson; and awaiting the arrival of Baby Spitzner and Baby Byars.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and extended family Amparito Torres-Roca and Vanna Miller.

    Preceding her in death were her parents, Lester and Elsie Cornstubble; husband, Glen Dale Byars; two sisters, Mary Lou Henson and Katie Talbert; and infant children, Nicky and Vicky Byars.

    Funeral and visitation services will be held at Oak Valley Free Will Baptist Church located west of Geff, IL.  Visitations will be held Thursday, February 17 from 5-7 p.m., and Friday, February 18 from 10-11 a.m. directly preceding the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 18.

    Memorials may be given to Oak Valley Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the church or Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.

    Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com

    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

10 Condolences
 
  1. Bill & Charlene Gilmore / February 12, 2022 at 4:43 pm

    Keeping the family in prayer. God bless you all with peace and comfort at this sad time. Shirley was a sweet loving person. with many talents.. She will truly be missed!

  2. John & Carol Talbert / February 12, 2022 at 8:26 pm

    Shirley was an extraordinary woman and a cherished aunt. She brought joy and love to multiple generations and some of our best family memories. Thinking of her brings smiles to each of us and deep gratitude for her presence in our lives.

    We take comfort in knowing that she is at peace but the loss of her “sparkle” and loving presence will be felt forever.

  3. Carol (Pinky) Oppenheimer / February 13, 2022 at 10:59 am

    Dear Cindy, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mother was such a lovely person. I sincerely enjoyed working with her when she volunteered at FMH.
    Pinky

  4. June (Braddock) Rubenacker / February 13, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Shirley was a great woman, wonderful teacher, and friend. Keeping all of you in my prayers and thoughts.

  5. Laura Musgraves / February 14, 2022 at 10:07 am

    Dear Byars Family, Shirley will be missed in so many ways by so many people who loved and cherished her. I will always remember her generosity, kindness, and good cheer. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  6. Marilyn (Shehorn) Tarbutton / February 14, 2022 at 11:28 am

    To The Byars Family: I am so sad to hear that your precious Mom and Grandma has passed away. I know that each one of you will miss her dearly but remember the good times you had with her over the years as the memories are so precious. We know that Shirley is in a better place where she has been welcomed home by her Heavenly Father and her loved ones that have gone on before her over the years and we will see her again someday in the future. May God bless each one of you at this time while you grieve be there for each other. I had known Shirley and her family since I was a young girl back in Illinois and her sister Katie was my first and second grade teacher who I dearly loved. I must tell you who I am Marilyn (Shehorn) Tarbutton and I left Illinois in 1959 and moved to Nevada with my Mom and Grandparents and then married in 1973 and moved to California near Palm Springs. With my deepest sympathy and lot of love to all of you. Marilyn

  7. Paula Rector / February 14, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    Sorry for your loss Randy and Paula Rector

  8. Veda Fatheree / February 14, 2022 at 2:32 pm

    RIP my Friend, I only knew you for a short time and wish it would have been under better times but was blessed to have met you and will see you again some day….. 🕊️

  9. Keith & Pam Hooper / February 16, 2022 at 11:12 am

    So sorry for your loss. Prayers be with you all at this time.

  10. Beverly Scattergood Fisher / February 20, 2022 at 9:55 am

    Shirley was warm and gracious. she will be missed by all who knew her,
    Bev Fisher

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