Robert W Byler

Robert Byler went to be with Jesus on April 23, 2024. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Lydia (Byler) Byler. He was the father of Robert Dale (Sharon Miller), Virginia (DavidMiller), Darlene (Murray Schrock), Barbie, and Dan (Jan Graber).

Robert W. Byler was born in Dover, Delaware, on February 9, 1940, to William A. Byler and Jemima D. (Yoder) Byler. He was the eighteenth of nineteen children and is survived by brothers Joe and Bennie Byler.

Robert and his family moved to Virginia at age nine. His father passed away when he was twelve. A favorite memory of Robert’s as a child was traveling with his father in the buggy to do deacon work. He remembers tears streaming down his father’s cheeks as he talked about Jesus. Robert also treasured the memories of fishing with his father. Soon after his father’s death, Robert was injured in a fall from a haymow. As a result of his fall, Robert had a constant, painful headache for the rest of his life. Because of his battle with pain, he was always sensitive to the pain of others. He took on responsibilities for the family at a young age, helping provide for his mother and little brother Bennie, and did all the grocery shopping for his mother.

One thing he enjoyed as a teenager was going to tent meetings, which began a lifelong love of preachers who preached powerful salvation messages. When he was sixteen years old he gave his heart to the Lord.

In 1961, he went on a summer mission trip to Red Lake, Ontario. While serving there he met Lydia. Some of his favorite stories from his time at Red Lake were spending time on the lake with Lydia, building a cabin with a chainsaw, and him and Lydia seeing a rainbow together that became a special family story. Robert and Lydia got married on September 1, 1962.

In 1967, Robert and Lydia moved to Seymour, MO. They were one of the first families at the Ozark Mennonite Church. He built many houses in Mansfield and enjoyed pointing them out to his children and grandchildren many years later. He loved woodworking and built beautiful furniture. Some of the grandchildren’s favorite memories are working with Grandpa in his shop.

Robert knew no stranger. He was a great story teller. Stories of his life and childhood were important to him and he loved to tell them to anyone who would listen. He was also known as a jolly person. In fact, one of his doctors wouldn’t prescribe him pain medication because they thought he was too cheerful.

Robert spent many hours praying for his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his four children, twenty grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and preceded in death by his daughter Virginia.