May 20, 1933-Jan. 2, 2007
Erwin Lamont (Monty) Byerley, 73, died Jan. 2, 2007 .
He was born in Siletz on May 20, 1933 to Henry Thomas and Retta (Weathers) Byerley, the 13th child in a family of 15. He was very proud of his big, close-knit family and always enjoyed helping out and attending the annual family reunion.
Mr. Byerley grew up in Toledo, and also lived in Salem and Brownsville. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1959. He married Mary Black on March 13, 1970 and lived in Sweet Home since then.
He worked for Cascade Plywood, US Plywood and Cascade Auto Wreckers. His greatest passion was buying, repairing, trading and selling cars. He was a member of the Sweet Home Vintage Car Club, now disbanded. He built a Model T from bits and pieces and drove it in parades in Sweet Home and Brownsville. He enjoyed hunting, camping, going to auctions and garage sales. He raised a garden and enjoyed sharing the produce with neighbors. He was a life member of the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, a former member of the VFW and, at one time, a Squarenader.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters and sons-in-law Janice and Don Ward of Yakima, Wash., Debbie and Jeff Busby of Troutdale and Tina and Robert Fraijo of Albany; son and daughter-in-law Tim and Barbi Byerley of Lebanon; and stepsons Greg Black and Darrin Black, both of Lebanon, and Kent and Karen Black of Portland; sisters Lorraine Miller of Foster, Laretta and brother-in-law Ivan Thornton of Brownsville; and Jean and brother-in-law Bud Stenberg of Lebanon; 10 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A gathering of friends and relatives was held Jan. 6 at the VFW Hall in Sweet Home. Contributions may be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association or to the charity of your choice.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.