This is the story of Rev. John Dean Byers, or Jack as he was called by friends and family, who was called home on July 7, 2018.

Jack was a man loved by many, who will be greatly missed and will always be cherished. Our Pop-Pop, as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren called him, was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a lover of puns, jokes and anything that would make you laugh, really.

Jacks story starts on October 26th, 1929, in Johnstown, PA. He was the son of Lillian Mae (Carney) and Roy Jacob Byers, and he dearly loved his Benshoff Hill home. After graduating from Ferndale High School in 1948, he traveled to Texas to serve with the Brethren Volunteer Service, before deciding to attend college. He made many lifelong friends during his College days at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA, where he earned his BA in English. He went on to Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, IL where he earned his Masters of Divinity degree in 1961.

While serving at a church in Erwin, TN, he met his wife, Carolyn Bailey and they were married December 27, 1959. Together they traveled to Chicago, IL, New Windsor, MD, and after seminary, they went to Windber, PA, where his life took another interesting turn. His daughter, Sharon (Cheri) was born in December of 1961, and in July of 1963, he had a son, Stephen. He served churches in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and served as a chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, until he became a reluctant retiree in 1998.

Jack loved music and performing, and when he was not singing in his church choir, he was performing regularly at the Hanover Little Theatre, the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center, singing with the baritone section of the Hanover Community Chorus or in later years, ushering at EPAC.

He dearly loved his friends and family, and he treasured and cherished the times the entire family could get together for a meal and some laughs. He will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Carolyn; sister, Joann Covalt; sister-in-law, Kathryn McDonald; daughter, Cheri Byers; his grandchildren, Justin Henke (wife, Tracy), Adrienne Fitzgerald (husband Sean) and Alexander Henke, his great-grandchildren; Cosette Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald, and Eli Henke, as well as many nieces and a nephew.

Loved ones that cleared the path for Jacks continuing journey are his father, Roy Jacob Byers; mother, Lillian Mae (Carney) Byers; sister, Wanda Mae Byers who passed in infancy; brother, George Leroy Byers; and brother, Robert Eugene Byers.

Jack leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter that he shared with all who knew and loved him. His strong faith in God was shared with others his entire life. He would not only give you the shirt off his back, but he would go searching for another one in case that one got wet or dirty. He was one of the best men to ever walk the face of this earth, and all who knew him will have no doubt he was welcomed into Heaven with the words, Well done, my good and faithful servant. He is smiling down on all of us at this very moment.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Hanover Church of the Brethren, 601 Wilson Avenue, Hanover, PA on Sunday, July 15, 2018 with Rev. Ralph Moyer and Rev. Geraldine Godfrey officiating. Family will be receiving friends at 2:30pm, with a 3:00pm celebration to follow. Entombment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, TN.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice and Community Care, 235 St. Charles Way, Suite 250, York, PA 17402 or the American Cancer Society, 924 North Colonial Avenue, York, PA 17403.

To share memories of Rev. John D. "Jack" Byers, please visit www.wetzelfuneralhome.com.