Genevieve Elaine Byers (93) of Neoga, formerly of Effingham

Genevieve Elaine Byers, 93, of Neoga, Illinois formerly of Effingham, Illinois passed away Monday, May 16, 2022 in the Heartland Senior Living Center in Neoga, Illinois.

Genny was born April 19, 1929 in Smithboro, Illinois to Raymond and Aline (Leever) Keeler. Her two siblings were Lois and Clyde. Genny married Hira "Bud" Byers on November 21, 1948. They were happily married for almost seventy-four years. Their children are Brenda (Lou) Haskett of Neoga, Illinois, Nancy Miller of Toledo, Illinois and Patty Claybaugh of Mahomet, Illinois.

Genny held several jobs in her career, she made vinyl records in a factory in Indianapolis, Indiana, worked at the Effingham Glove Factory, at Norge in Effingham and General Electric Lamp Plant in Mattoon, Illinois.

Genny’s six grandchildren are, Bruce and Alex Miller, Keely (Miller) Roy, Craig and Jeff Haskett and Lori (Claybaugh) Clark; they were her pride and joy, and they blessed her with thirteen great grandchildren. She loved hearing about their sports, school work, exploits and successes.

Genny was a believer in Christ and was a member of the First Christian Church in Effingham, Illinois. She loved life and loved to have fun. She bowled, played pinochle with friends, and especially loved going to the race tracks and watching their horses race. Mom and Dad were in the winner’s circle many times. Genny was known for her homemade pies, fudge and divinity. A lot of her kids' friends would show up for those treats and for her pot roasts on Sunday.

She was preceded in death by her husband "Bud" Byers; siblings, Lois (Keeler) Grupe, Clyde Keeler; and son in law, Carl Miller.

Memorials are suggested to the Shriners Children’s Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Mom made us laugh, We will miss her shy smile and being able to hug and kiss her.

A Celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, May 20, 2022, in the Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, IL. Visitation will be Friday, May 20, 2022 from 9:00 am until service time also in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Keen’s Chapel Cemetery near Farina at a later date.

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