Geraldine Rose Byar, 92, of Sterling, IL, died on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at CGH Medical Center, Sterling.
Gerry was born on March 12, 1931, in Aurora, IL, the daughter of Gerald and Rose (Benson) Springer. She married William F. Byar on June 6, 1953, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington, IA. He preceded her in death on April 19, 2020. Gerry was a 1949 graduate of Burlington High School. She was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sterling, where she enjoyed singing in adult choir and assisting with funeral luncheons. Gerry will be remembered as a consummate wife, mother, and friend to all family and acquaintances.
Survivors include her daughter, Lisa (Frans) Rechkemmer; sons, Jonathan Byar (Janet Matheney), all of Sterling, and Eric (Kathleen) Byar, of Manhattan,IL; sisters, Miriam (Allen) Bloomer, of Hot Springs, AR, and Barbara Springer, of Muscatine, IA; brother, John (Jane) Springer, of Solona Beach, CA; four grandchildren, Erika (Brad) Smith, of Morrison, IL, Kelleryn (Brett) Rauzi, of Waterloo, IA, William (Hannah) Byar, of Dunlap, IL, and Meredith (Josh) Hilt, of Lockport, IL; five great-grandchildren, Beth, Rosalie, and Matthias Rauzi, and Mason and Walker Smith.
Gerry was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; daughter-in-law, Christine Byar.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
A Gathering of family and friends will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at McDonald Funeral Home in Sterling, IL.
A Memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Jacob Gawlik and Reverend Leo Patterson co-officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sterling, IL.