Dan J.B. Byler, 94

Former Bonners Ferry resident Dan J.B. Byler, 94, went home to Jesus Tuesday, March 10, 2009.

Dan was born June 19, 1914, in New Castle, Pa., to Jonathan and Barbara Byler.

He was ordained to the ministry in 1959 in Middlefield, Ohio, and as bishop in 1970 at Seymour, Mo. Dan taught Bible school for many years. A favorite subject was Typed and Shadows of the Old Testament. He later wrote a book on this subject, as well as, a book on Revelation.

Dan was married for 47 years to Fannie Gingerich, the mother of his 10 children. They married April 17, 1938, in Mt. Eaton, Ohio.

Many remember Dan from when he lived in the Bonners Ferry area from 1993 to 2004. He then went to live with his daughter in Seymour until his death.

Surviving are sons Rudy (Esther), William (Sarah), James (Elida), all of Bonners Ferry, and Eli of Missouri; daughters Lydia (Robert) Byler, Ruth (Joe) Miller and Mary, all of Missouri, Barbara (Raymond) Knicely of Virginia, and Amanda Kay (Roman) Miller of Washington; 39 grandchildren; 108 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Dan was preceded in death by his wife of 11 months, Anna Gingerich in 1937; a daughter, Alma in 1952; his wife, Fannie, in 1985; his wife, Julia Emery in 1998; and grandsons Jonathan and Dan in a plane crash in 1999.

A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Sunday, April 5, at Kootenai Valley Mennonite Church.