Susan Irene Byron

Susan Irene (Grilley) Byron

Sue died Friday, November 14, 2025, at UH Elyria Medical Center, Elyria. She was born January 14, 1946, in New London and lived most of her life in Kipton and most recently, Wellington. Sue was a well-loved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend to many.

Sue is survived by and will be missed greatly by her husband of 61 years, Steven Byron; she was called mom by Michelle (Sam) Byron-Butler, Cindi (Joe) Byron-Dixon, Luke Ehler and Amy (Graeme) Ehler Storey; she loved time spent with her grandkids, Joella (Luis), Cannon, Jeriel and Kyle; she was a sister to Regina Franklin and Carla Gum of Indiana and had several nieces and nephews. Sue was preceded in death by her father, George Grilley, her mother, Jeanne (Evans) Grilley, beloved stepmother, Kiku (Kamimura) Grilley; sons, Eric Byron and Scott Byron; grandson, Steven Samuel Byron-Butler; brothers Alan Grilley, James Grilley, Neal Grilley and a sister, Debbie (Grilley) Miller.

Susie and her husband took in people who for various reasons had no home to call their own. If she knew of someone who had no family to spend holiday meals with, she brought them into her home, seeing to it that they were fed and made to feel welcome. Sue cared for many children over the years without hesitation so that their parents could work. Sue enjoyed her many years as activities director at Welcome Nursing Home. She loved nature, especially birds. Sue and Steve took their family on many adventures to camp, boat, and fish. She loved to bake, sew, craft, and paint and loved to give and receive homemade gifts. She gave neighborhood children sewing lessons and helped them to make craft projects. Neighbors often brought their clothing that needed alterations and she would make sure they looked spiffy. Every Christmas she made her kids pajamas that they would open on Christmas Eve. It became a tradition that has continued into the next generation. She also loved to make cookies to share with her friends and neighbors to celebrate the Holiday. She gave free haircuts to her neighbors and their children for decades. Many times, her generosity was anonymous. She purchased winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves for neighbors and would wrap them and leave them on a porch under the cover of darkness. Sue loved baseball, especially the Guardians, but if they weren't playing, she would watch whatever game was available. Baseball was almost always enjoyed with a can of Pepsi and either a bag of cheese popcorn or Lays potato chips. She became a bit of a Social Media Celebrity by posting weekly "Hump Day" photos for many years that her friends and family looked forward to. When her children were little, she would take them to Church, when they were older, she let their faith be their choice. She attended Kipton Community Church for many years where she volunteered at the food bank. Later, she began attending Peace Community Church with her grandchildren. Her love was unconditional. She taught her children that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, no matter their differences or circumstances. She and Steven had several foreign exchange students and loved keeping up with them and even visiting their families in their homelands. She enjoyed learning about other cultures and traditions. She was proud to be a Reconnecting Haudenosaunee on a journey of Rematriation, or returning to the teachings of her Native American Ancestors. It was important to her that her children and grandchildren continue on in this journey, learning about her family history and incorporating Traditional Teachings into their everyday lives.

This verse found in Matthew 25:40 was not just a verse to Sue, but a tenet by which she lived her life: "Whatever you did for the one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 4 pm til 6 pm, with services beginning at 6 pm at the Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 S. Main Street, Wellington, Ohio 44090. A celebration of her life will be held in picnic form on May 24, 2026 (Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend) like she and Steven did for many years. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made the Alzheimer's Association, 38440 Chester Road, Unit B, Avon, Ohio 44011 or the Indigenous Peoples' Day Committee of Oberlin, 115 Locust St., Oberlin, Ohio 44074. Expressions of sympathy can be shared at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.