Katherine Elaine (Hern) Byerly went home to be with Jesus in Heaven after she passed away at Riverside Methodist Hospital at 6am on Tuesday morning, August 17th, 2021. Katie, as she was known to family and friends, died two weeks after brain surgery that was complicated by a lengthy fight with chronic lung issues. She was in the company of her two sons, relatives, friends, and compassionate health care workers.
She was born on December 24th, 1934, to parents Emma Irene and Hanson S. Hern in Lafayette, Ohio. She also lived formative years in Summerford, Ohio that neighbors London, Ohio as well. She is preceded in death by husband Cecil Eldon Byerly, older sister Dorothy (Hern) Weimer, younger brother Robert Hern and daughter Julie. She is survived by older sister Joan (Hern) Hedges, sons Matt (Melinda) and Andy, grandson Joshua Watson, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Growing up, Katie had numerous interests, talents, and experiences. She was a gifted piano player and enjoyed singing at school and with her older sisters throughout her life. 4H, school activities, and church were important to her as she grew up in a house built by her father outside of Summerford in the 1940s.
Katie graduated from London High School in 1952 and Mount Carmel Nursing School in 1955. She started her career working as a county health nurse and finished her career working in the surgical recovery room at Doctors Hospital until she retired in 1995.
Katie was married to Cecil Eldon Byerly from West Jefferson in 1957. They initially lived in West Jefferson but moved to Lincoln Village North in 1963 where they raised three children, Julie, Matt, and Andy. Katie worked as a nurse and Cecil worked for Ohio Bell. Upon leaving Lincoln Village in 1985, they lived the remainder of their lives in the Hilliard area.
During their retirement years, Cecil and Katie enjoyed traveling with other couples, keeping in contact with and spending time with family and friends, spending time in Florida, and pursuing their faith through involvement in their church. As a couple, they never met a stranger and had a real knack for helping and counseling others and impacting everyone they met in a positive way. Katie will always be known for her loving smile, sharp mind, and friendly nature.
The family will welcome friends for Visitation, Monday, August 23, 2021, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM, at the TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 5265 NORWICH STREET, HILLIARD, OH, 43026. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at 12:00 Noon, at the funeral home. Entombment, Sunset Cemetery, Galloway, OH.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made on behalf of Katherine Byerly to samaritanspurse.org or toll free at 1-800-665-2843.
