Helen PeeWee Byers' Obituary
Helen E. 'PeeWee' Byers, 97 years, of Columbia, IL, passed away on June 28, 2022 at , Columbia, IL. She was born January 16, 1925, in Columbia, IL. She was the daughter of the late Henry, and Emma, nee Daab, Carle. She was married to the late Russel Byers. They were married June 16, 1946, in St. Paul U.C. of C., Columbia, IL. He had passed away November 21, 2000.
Helen was always on the go at a 100 mile per hour clip and always chided her husband for being too slow. She loved flowers and gardening, especially Geraniums and Petunias. You could find her either working in her yard or at the Soulard market selling her homegrown produce. Helen was a great Cardinals fan and adored Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, Wainwright, and Molina as her favorite players. She was a great housekeeper, and her home was always immaculate, as she was proud to be 'scrubby Dutch'. Christmas was her favorite holiday as she got to spend extra time cherishing her grandchildren and their families. Helen enjoyed her new friends and the staff at Garden Place, and her family is ever grateful for their many kindnesses on Helen's behalf.
Surviving are her daughters, Betty Kirk of Columbia, IL, Sharon Weller of Columbia, IL, and Debbie (Jim) Longstreth of Powhatan, VA; grandchildren, Brian (Kristi) Kirk, Kimberly (Joe) Clark, Jill (Robert) Dickerson, Liz (David) Hornal, Jonathan Longstreth, and Stefanie (Ryan) Boggs; 13 great-grandchildren; 3 greatgreat-grandchildren, along with other relatives and friends.
She was also preceded in death by her brother, Henry Carle, Jr.; sister, Lorraine Ida Kossina; son-in-law, Merrill R. Weller; and great-grandchild Jackson Goodrich.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 6, 2022, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, Illinois, with Funeral Service to follow the visitation at 11:00 am, with Rev. Sheldon Culver, officiating. Interment will follow in the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia, IL.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: St. Paul United Church of Christ, 127 N. St. Paul, Columbia, IL, 62236 . For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Leesman Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, handled arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Helen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Helen?
Share a story where Helen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Helen you’ll never forget.
How did Helen make you smile?

