Mrs. Josephine Byars -Formerly of Christopher

Mrs. Jo Byars, 89, passed away on December 18,2016 in Marion.  She was the daughter of Bert and Tina (Arondelli) Venegoni and was born August 11, 1927 in Christopher, Illinois.  She was united in marriage to Glenn R. Byars, June 24, 1950 at the First Baptist Church, Christopher, IL and together they shared more than 66 years of marriage.

Mrs. Byars was a 1945 graduate of Christopher High School and an Alumnus of Southern Illinois University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1949.  She began her teaching career at Elkville High School in 1949 where she implemented a new Smith-Hughes Home Economics Department, including sponsoring the FHA program. Three years later she was asked to do the same at Christopher High School.  After several years there, she taught at the Valier High School as a substitute and then semi-retired due to the arrival of their sons, James and Richard.  She wanted to be a “stay at home” Mother.

In 1990 at an Elkville High School banquet, Mrs. Byars was invited to be honored as the first FHA sponsor and Home Economics Teacher there.  She fondly remembered her students throughout the years and stayed in touch with many of them.  This honor touched her heart and was greatly appreciated.

During the time that she was a “stay at home” Mom, Mrs. Byars was asked to give knitting lessons.  This quickly evolved into more and more students and the beginning of “Jo’s Knit Shop.”  This was especially dear to her because she could teach again. She taught her “Southern Illinois” clients knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and crewel embroidery and provided all the materials needed.

After ten years in the craft business, Jo again became a school teacher in 1967.  She was contacted and asked to teach Kindergarten in the Sesser-Valier School District at the Washington School building. She remained at Sesser for the remainder of her teaching career, retiring in 1985 with 25 years of service.  When asked which field of teaching she preferred, she always said she loved them all.

During her lifetime, Jo was a member of the Jr. Woman’s Club, Business and Professional Woman’s Club, Christopher Woman’s Club, charter member of Christopher Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, member of Marion Beta Sigma Phi, Illinois Education Association, West Franklin Historical Society, and a member of the Crystal Lakes Community Church Choir in Okeechobee, Florida.   For years, Mrs. Byars served on the Christopher Library Board, and the Franklin County Cancer Society Board.

In her spare time, Jo liked entertaining friends, traveling all over the United States with her husband and sons, gardening, crafts, cooking, sharing food with others and keeping in touch with friends on the internet.

Mrs. Byars was preceded in death by her father, Bert Venegoni, and her mother Tina (Arondelli) Venegoni; Grandmothers Catterina (Constantino) Arondeli, Josephine (Pessina) Venegoni; Grandfathers Batiste (Bob) Arondelli, Pete Venegoni, her brother, Bert Venegoni, and special cousin, Father John Venegoni.

Survivors include her husband, Glenn R. Byars; Sons, James Randall Byars and wife, Anita (Herzog) of Freeburg, IL, and Richard Scott Byars and wife, Kimberly (Simpson) of Marion, IL; Grandsons, Bradley Scott Byars of Atlanta, GA, Robert Simpson Byars and wife, Erica, of Minneapolis, MN, and Scott Christopher Byars, of Freeburg, IL, Granddaughter, Jessica Lynn (Byars) Stanford and husband, Matt, of Belleville, IL. and Great Granddaughter Colette Amelia Byars of Minneapolis, MN.

She is also survived by a sister, Catherine Browning and her husband Bill, of Springfield, IL, her sister-in-law, Gracie Venegoni, of Mt Vernon, IL; Nieces and Nephews, Rob and Lisa (Venegoni) Lowery, of Benton, IL, Bruce and Kari (Browning) Tomei, of Long Beach, CA, John and Laura (Venegoni) Schneider, of St. Louis, MO, William and Georgina Browning, of Springfield, IL, and Randy and Marcia Venegoni, of Christopher, IL., and several Great Nieces, and Great Nephews.

Visitation will be at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher on Thursday December 22, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 P.M.  A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. with Dr. Charles “C.W.” Hamilton officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home

 Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and very loudly proclaiming:  Wow!  What a Ride!!!

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com