Richard Dale Byers, age 85, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away Sunday morning, December 31, 2017, at Evergreen Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Effingham.

     He was born July 5, 1932, in Clay County, son of the late Harold Richard and Nellie Louise (Guerrettaz) Byers.  He was united in marriage to Merle Elaine Harrell on July 2, 1956, in Mississippi, and they shared 27 years of marriage prior to her death on December 26, 1983.  Dale later married Bonnie (Kessler) Hanson on December 30, 1985, in Missouri.  He was also preceded in death by 2 sisters: Debra Byers and Sharon Conley; and a stepson: Stuart Hanson.

     Dale is survived by his wife: Bonnie Byers of Xenia; a daughter: Marla Meyer (Paul) of Iuka; a son: Mark Byers (Wanda) of Louisville; a brother: Dean Byers (Joy) of Sullivan; a sister: Arlene Adamson (Denzel) of Watson; 3 stepchildren: Joan Lewis (Ed) of Bible Grove; Linda Eaton (Roger) of Windsor; Scott Hanson (Jody) of Mattoon; 4 grandchildren: Jason Byers (Ellen) of Xenia; Jennifer Starwalt (Mark) of Kinmundy; Kayla Cripps (Kevin) of Iuka; Kenzie Meyer of Iuka; 6 great-grandchildren: Malachi & Mallory Starwalt, Kaden & Kenley Cripps, and Leah & Logan Byers; 9 step-grandchildren: Jamie Lewis of Louisville, Eric Lewis (Jami) of Louisville, Dakoda Hanson of Salem, Tanner Hanson of Mt. Vernon, Spencer Hanson (fiancé Aleah) and Destiny Giles (Andrew) of Crossville, Quentin Hanson (Haley) of Texas, Leah Edgar (Cameron) of Toledo, Colton Hanson (Katie) of Mattoon; 5 step-great-grandchildren; a stepdaughter-in-law: Faith Broadway (Kevin); and a number of nieces and nephews.

     Dale was graduate of Farina-LaGrove High School.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War.  He will be remembered for his hard work throughout life, spending time as an oilfield roughneck, working for years at the Iola Rock Quarry, and finally retiring from farming.  He attended the Iola Cavalry Apostolic Church, and enjoyed traveling, opportunities to eat out, and good old family fish fries.

     A funeral service will be 12 Noon Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Pastor Michael Durre officiating, and interment will follow in Oskaloosa Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of service on Wednesday.  Memorials are suggested to the Oskaloosa Cemetery Fund, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a memory or condolence with the family, visit www.frankandbright.com.