Roy Donald Byerly

Roy Donald Byerly Born August 7, 1923 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Roy Archie and Gladys (Oliver) Byerly. Two years later the family moved to Indianapolis. His early years were spent in the Fishers area where he went to school. As a teenage boy Don began working as a farm hand in the area. In 1948 he started driving for Greyhound Bus Lines, which he did for 35 years until retiring in 1983. He then drove the next 9 years for Executive Coach driving charter buses. The highlight of his driving career was driving former President George H. W. Bush to the Kentucky Derby. In 1953 he married Vicki Foust of Scott, Ohio. To this marriage were born his two daughters, who were the joy of his life, Cyndy (Rod) Sanford and Tami (Eric Fuller) Zumwalt who survive. In 1960 he married Dorothy VanBlaricum who preceded him in death. January 1, 1989 he married Martha Nichols of Kokomo who survives. Surviving Stepchildren are Jan Nichols, Gary (Beth) Nichols and Bill (Janelle) Nichols. Surviving Grandchildren are Reggie (Jenny) Johnson, Joe (Lauren) Sanford, Erica McKibben, Katie (Charlie) Ketchen, and Zach (Courtney) Zumwalt. Surviving Step Grandchildren are Heidi (Ryan) Sanchez, Marie (Kerem) Korunmus, Katie (James) Vagle, Angela Nichols, Amy Nichols, Michael (Joy) Nichols and Chas Puntillo. Surviving Great Grandchildren are Owen and Olivia Johnson, Noah Sanford, Peyton and Maisie McKibben, Elsie Ketchen, Lexi and Tempe Zumwalt. Surviving Step Great Grandchildren are Elena Vagle, Paloma Sanchez, Sabiha and Devrim Korunmus, and Lucas Nichols. Other survivors are brothers Elsworth Byerly and George (Lucille) Byerly. Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister Mary (Elwood) Saugstad, and three brothers Robert, John and Richard and one Great Grandchild, Leslie Anne Zumwalt. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family was the center of his life. He took pride in doing his best whether it was farming, bus driving or serving in the U.S. Army which he did twice. One of his tours of duty in the Army was served in Korea. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene where he especially enjoyed his Sunday School Class. Friends may call from 4-7pm on Thursday November 15, 2012 at Flanner and Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington St., Indianapolis. Friends may call from 10-11 am, Friday, November 16, 2012. Funeral services will be held 11 am Friday November 16, 2012 at Flanner and Buchanan. Interment will follow in Washington Park East Cemetery. Burial is for Family only. Donations in Don's memory may be made to the American Heart Association 6100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250, or donors favorite charity. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan