FRANK BYERS

Frank Byers

Frank Marshall Byers, 87, of Coleman Falls died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at his home in Coleman Falls surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Hilda. Frank was born August 4, 1923 in Amherst County, the son of the late Annie Ruth Noel Byers and Marshall Dillard Byers. He was retired from Owens-Illinois where he worked as a Pulp Mill Operator. He was a member of Cove United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Big Island Hunting and Fishing Club, founded in 1953. He was an avid bear hunter and loved going up on the mountain and under Thunder Hill. When he became unable to hunt, his sons would take him up on the mountain so that he could listen to the dogs run. He was a member of American Legion Post 217 and a charter member of Big Island 1013 Federal Credit Union. Frank was a veteran of World War II, where he served in the 497th AAA Battalion and was a Juno Beach level contributor to The National D-Day Memorial Foundation.

In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by three sisters, Pearl White, Lorrine Byers and Geneva Robertson, three brothers, Hilton Byers, Wesley Byers and William "Billy" Byers. He is survived by two sons, Gilbert M. Byers and his wife, Barbara of Monroe; Clarence Darrell Byers and his wife, Martha of Coleman Falls; one brother Bernard Byers and his wife, Lillian of Falls Church, two sisters-in-law, Lois Hudson Byers of Big Island; Alice Hill Byers of Lynchburg; four grandchildren, Melinda Byers of Lynchburg; Andrew Byers of Monroe, Jacob Byers and his wife, Holly, and Cimmaron Byers of Coleman Falls; one great- granddaughter, Lydia Byers, a friend, Edward Crouch, a special caregiver, Sylvia Manley, a special niece and nephew, Betty Stafford of Madison Heights and Donald Byers of Lynchburg, and many other nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends at the residence 6200 Lee Jackson Highway, Coleman Falls. A celebration oflife, an informal gathering for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at the Cove United Methodist Church in Coleman Falls. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526, The National D-Day Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 77 Bedford, VA 24523 or the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main St., Bedford,

(540) 586-7360.