Darlene Byler

Darlene Byler RALEIGH Darlene B., "Dottie," Byler, of Springmoor Retirement Community of Raleigh, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011. Born March 23, 1923, she was the daughter of the late G.A. and Verda Birkey of Bremen, Ind. In addition to her parents, Dottie was also preceded in death by two sisters and her beloved husband of 54 years, David O. Byler. Born in Fisher, Ill., Dottie grew up in Bremen, Ind. where she graduated valedictorian from her high school. In 1944, she graduated from Goshen College and taught second grade in Bremen before marrying Dave in 1945. After Dave completed seminary in Kentucky, the couple lived in Kingsport and Chattanooga, Tenn. before moving with their four children to Hickory in 1958 where Dave served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church for the next 27 years. During that time, Dottie taught various Sunday school classes and held numerous leadership roles in WMU and with the GAs. She also substitute taught in the Hickory Public Schools and was a Kindergarten teacher for Church of the Master UCC and later for First Baptist Church. In 2005, she began the final chapter of her life by moving to Springmoor where she will be remembered by a host of new friends who always appreciated her warm smile and cheerful spirit. She is survived by her children, Michael Byler and his spouse, Kathy Schmick, of Wallingford, Penn.; Cindy Yelton and her spouse, David, of Hillsborough; Patrick Byler and his spouse, Vickie, of Raleigh; Tim Byler and his spouse, Kelly, of Kingsport, Tenn.; six grandchildren and five great-grand-children; siblings Glen-nis Reidenbach, Robert Birkey and Carol Boyer, all of Bremen, Ind. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Hickory on Saturday, Aug. 27. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Byler Organ Fund at First Baptist Church in Hickory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bass-smith funeralhome.com Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of Darlene B. "Dottie" Byler.