Byker, Gary - Abt. 1921-1997

BYKER, BLANKESPOOR

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/12/2011 at 11:52:55

Sioux Center News, November 27, 1997

Gary Byker, 76, died November 14 in Sarasota, Florida.

Funeral services were November 19 at Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church, Hudsonville, Michigan with Dr. Howard Vanderwell officiating. Burial was at Georgetown Cemetery.

Byker was born in Northwest Iowa, the oldest child of Date (Dale?) & Johanna Byker. He moved to Michigan in 1950. He was a decorated World War II veteran and farmed in Iowa before moving to Michigan. In Michigan he attended Calvin College, established Byker Realty and served 11 years in the State Senate, retiring in 1979. He served on many boards and councils throughout his life, was a member of the Gideons and also used his retirement years volunteering.

Survivors include his wife, Henrietta (Blankespoor); his children, Joanne & Bruce Deckinga, Gaylen & Susan Byker, David & Kathleen Byker, Harlan & Terri Byker, Carl & Susan Byker, Gretchen and Randy Van Heukelum; 16 grandchildren, six brothers, Len, Jack, Bert, Don, Will and Harry, and six sisters, Kay Hamstra and Marlene De Pree, and all of their spouses; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Byker; his in-laws, Della Blankespoor, the Rev. John & Marge Blankespoor and Rosella & Arend Wassink.

He was preceded in death by a brother, John, and a sister, Jeannette.

Memorials may be directed to Hudsonville Christian School or the Gideons.