Larry Byerly

PEORIA - Larry B. Byerly, 74, a lifelong Peorian, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, from complications following a fall outside his condo in Maui, Hawaii.

Born Sept. 28, 1936, in Peoria, a son of R. Millard and E. Juanita "Nita" Crosby Byerly, Larry married Merry Enz on Dec. 6, 1964, in Buckley, Ill. She survives.

Also surviving are three nephews, Brian (Gayle) Siems and their children, Taylor and Natalie of Peoria, Aaron (Leslie) Siems and their children, Madelyn and Gavin of Greenwood, Ind., Bruce (Lynn) Byerly and their children, Amelia, Clair and Robert Nicholas of Naples, Fla.; his mother-in-law, Madelyn Enz of Onarga, Ill.; two sisters-in-law, Myra Siems of Onarga, Ill., and Sharon Byerly of Peoria; and his beloved pets, Paco and Tuxey.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert K. "Bob" Byerly and Millard D. "Terry" Byerly; one nephew, Brandon K. Byerly; one brother-in-law, Ronald Siems; and his father-in-law, Russell Enz.

Larry graduated from Peoria High School in 1954 and earned his bachelor of science degree from Northwestern University School of Business.

He was a veteran of the United States Army.

Larry grew up in the family owned aviation business, which his father, R. Millard Byerly, started on the old grass Mount Hawley airport over seven decades ago.

In 1953, Larry took his first flying lesson in an Aeronca Champ. He accumulated well over 10,000 hours of flight time in various aircraft types. Larry held an airline transport pilot rating.

Larry was a former president and co-owner of Byerly Aviation Inc., and his employees and customers were of the utmost importance to him. He was a generous man, giving freely of his time, had a sense of humor, always smiled and loved to tell a good joke. Larry always considered his employees family. Hundreds of young men and women started their aviation careers at Byerly Aviation.

He was one of the founders, past president and former board member of the Illinois Aviation Trades Association. Larry also was on the aviation advisory board at Southern Illinois University.

In 2003, Larry was inducted into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame.

Larry loved driving and traveling with Merry, Paco and Tuxey in their motor home. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in Edgewater, Wis., Traverse City, Mich., and other places of interest to them across the United States.

He was a Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls fan.

Larry was an organ donor.

For the past 22 years, Larry and Merry spent their winter months on the beautiful island of Maui. Larry always said Maui was his heaven on earth. Larry loved his wife, nephews and their families, life, aviation, Mooney and Aero Commanders, employees, friendships, cheeseburgers and pizza. He was a respected member of the aviation community around the world.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2011, at Trinty Lutheran Church in Peoria. The Rev. Mark J. Nelson will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at The Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. Private burial services will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens.

The family has requested no flowers.

Memorials may be made to Pets for Seniors, Box 64, Edwards, IL 61528 or to a scholarship that will be established in Larry's name at Southern Illinois University College of Aviation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thewiltonmortuary.com.