Byker, Gilbert - 1932-2003

BYKER, VANDEBRAKE, HOOYER

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/12/2011 at 12:02:13

Hawarden Independent, March 27, 2003

Gilbert Byker, 70, died Monday, March 17, 2003 from pancreatic and liver cancer at the Midwest Regional Medical Center in Zion, ILL. Funeral service was March 22 at Christian Reformed Church in Hawarden with the Rev. Nathan de Vries officiating. Interment was in Grace Hill Cemetery at Hawarden. Porter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Gilbert "Gib" Byker was born December 22, 1932 at Ireton, Iowa, the son of Sam & Marie (Hooyer) Byker. He graduated from Western Christian High School and attended a year of College. Gib married Lois Vande Brake, August 20, 1954 at Orange City, Iowa. They lived in Orange City for two years before moving to a farm southeast of Hawarden. He farmed and in the early 1970's started Byker Insurance Agency. This later became Ryker-Reinking Insurance and he sold his share of the business six years ago. He retired from the farming operation five years ago.

He was an active member of the Christian Reformed Church in Hawarden. He had also served on boards for Harmony Home, Unity Christian High School and the Northwest REC. He did volunteer work at the Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Lois; four children, Kevin who just returned from Ecuador, Daniel of Hawarden, Mischelle Boersma of Homewood, ILL, and Sharon Dahm of Pella; a brother, Gerrit of Hawarden; a sister-in-law, Nelma Byker of Hawarden; and 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two infant grandchildren, Andrea Byker & Issiah Dahm, and a brother Marion.