Joyce Byers

Joyce L. Byers, 77, of LeGrand, died June 24, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospital. Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2009, at LeGrand Friends Church. Burial will be in LeGrand Friends Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday evening from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family who will direct funds to Joyces favorite charities: Iowa River Hospice, Macular Degeneration Research, LeGrand Friends Church, and the MMSC Cardiac Catheterization Lab. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been caring for Joyce and her family. Ph 641-844-1234. Joyce Lorraine Long was born on October 19, 1931, at the Marshalltown Hospital. She was the daughter of John and Maude (Shipley) Long. Joyce graduated from LeGrand High School in 1949. On July 9, 1950, she married Cecil Byers at LeGrand Friends Church. Joyce worked as a bookkeeper at a dental office, a bookkeeper at LeGrand Oil, and as a secretary at LeGrand High School. She was a member of LeGrand Friends Church, Literary Club in LeGrand, Iowa River Hospice, and Adult Bible Study, and she helped with child care at her church. Joyces life revolved around her family and friends. She enjoyed reading, walking, and her grandchildren. She found purpose in life serving others in her quiet, unassuming manner. Joyce is survived by her children, Doug(Julie) Byers of Boise, ID, Richard(Rita) Byers of Marshalltown, John Byers of Brazil, and Joseph Byers of Marshalltown; her 6 grandchildren, Jessica(Jeff) Thoeny of Boise, ID, Jason Byers of Boise, ID, Brady Byers of Phoenix, AZ, Rusty Byers of Phoenix, AZ, Levi Byers of Minneapolis, MN, and Travis Byers of Cedar Falls, IA; her sister, Janet(Richard) Wagoner of Garwin, her brother Jack Long of Marshalltown, and her brother Frank Long of Boone, IA. In death, she has rejoined her loving husband, Cecil; her sisters Betty Rhodes and Fern Gummert; her brothers, Bob Long and Paul Long; and her parents, John and Maude Long.