Geraldine "Gerry" Byland

Geraldine “Gerry” A. Byland of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana passed away peacefully after 88 years on this Earth at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, at Grace Village Health Care.

She was born on November 7, 1934 in Springfield, Illinois to Thelma Frances (Clark) Tharp and Dewey O. Tharp.  On June 10, 1952, Gerry married Fred S. Byland.  They were blessed with almost 58 years of marriage together before he passed away on March 6, 2010.

Gerry was a familiar and friendly face at State Bank of Syracuse, which later became Key Bank where she was a loan officer.  With over 30 years in banking, Gerry made many friends over the years serving her family, friends and neighbors.  She also worked at People’s Trust Bank in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. 

Gerry loved to travel, she enjoyed Florida, Niagara Falls, she visited many places throughout the west and southwest and experienced the beautiful paradise of Hawaii.  She loved being involved in her children’s lives and later in her grandchildren’s lives.  Supporting them in any and all of their activities.  She was a wonderful 4-H leader, she raised two great cooks and was a talented seamstress.  She was a member of the Business Professional Women's (BPW) Club.  Gerry loved the Lord and was very involved in many aspects at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Syracuse from singing in the choir to volunteering when needed.  Gerry was simply a wonderful person.  Gerry was a great wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her wonderful laugh will be forever missed by her family that she dearly loved.

She leaves behind her two daughters, Sue Kaminski (Warsaw, IN); Julie (Tom) Votaw (Syracuse, Indiana; six grandchildren, Eric Hamman (North Webster, IN); Scinda Hamman (North Webster, IN); Casey (Kit) Clouser (Indianapolis, IN); Troy Votaw (Ft. Wayne, IN); Carly Votaw (Ft. Wayne, IN); Drew (Isaac) Benner-Votaw (Ft. Wayne, IN); seven great-grandchildren, Taylor Hamman, Braden Votaw, Norah Wait, Gail Wait, Jude Votaw, Quinn Votaw and Memphis Clouser.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gail Byland and sister Wanda Kelley. 

Gerry’s life will be celebrated with a private family graveside service at Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, Indiana officiated by Pastor Jim Tormey.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.   

Memorial donations may be directed to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike – Suite 300, Rockville, MD  20852. 

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