Robert Newton Byler (January 24, 1920 June 11, 2010)
Robert Newton Byler was born on January 24, 1920 at home in Durham Township near Dallas City, Illinois, and he passed away on June 11, 2010 at home in Wickenburg, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his parents, Biard and Ruth Byler, and by his wife, Luella Jean (Burg) Byler. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Byler Sallee; two grandchildren, James Christian Sallee and Amy Noelle Beal; and three great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Isaac Beal, and Sarah Grace Sallee.
Robert graduated from LaHarpe High School, LaHarpe, Illinois and then continued his education with two years of college in Burlington, Iowa. He married his high school sweetheart, Luella Jean Burg, and they were married for 68 years. The couple farmed with Roberts Dad until 1956 when Bobs talents for inventing and working as a machinist came to be recognized. He invented a rotary lawn mower blade and began distributing these throughout the United States. He also built two die casting machines, developed a heat treating plant, did foundry work, and developed and manufactured parts for Schaeffer Pen Company. In his spare time, he taught a Sunday school class at the LaHarpe Christian Church and often took his class on canoe and camping trips.
In 2006, at the age of 86, Bob had the cover story for The Home Shop Machinist magazine in a three-part series, covering three different issues on the surface grinder, and in 2008, he was published again in the same magazine for an article on constructing a phase converter.
Robert has been a member of the Wickenburg Gem and Mineral Club and was a member of the Christian Church. He enjoyed fishing and canoeing, woodworking, metal working, rock hunting and photography along with keeping his computer skills updated and listening to music. He had many hobbies and interests in life which kept him young at ninety years of age. He will be missed by family and friends whom he loved and enjoyed so much.

Luella Jean Byler (October 7, 1922 October 30, 2008)
Luella Jean Burg Byler was born on October 7, 1922 in Burlington, Iowa and was the daughter of Chester and Mary Burg. She passed away on October 30, 2008 at home in Wickenburg, Arizona. At that time she was survived by her husband, Robert Byler, daughter Pamela Byler Sallee, two grandchildren, James Christian Salle and Amy Sallee Beal, and three great- grandchildren, Alexandra Beal, Isaac Beal, and Sarah Grace Sallee. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Wendell Burg of LaHarpe, IL.
Jean graduated from LaHarpe High School receiving the DAR award and a Girls Athletic Award. Her hobbies were many, but she was known for the beautiful flower gardens she created as well as her vegetable gardens. Jean was an excellent seamstress, quilter, hooked rugs and enjoyed knitting. She loved animals and usually had a dog and fed the quail daily at her home in Wickenburg.
When on the farm in Illinois, she helped take care of the animals, and helped in the fields. When her husband, Robert Byler, became a manufacturer, she took care of all the books and office work and was in charge of the Distribution and Packing department for Byler Manufacturing Company. She also taught a Sunday school class at LaHarpe Christian Church. She loved music and often played piano and organ with music ranging from Gospel to Classical. Reading, writing, taking walks, traveling, and entertaining were also among her hobbies. Jean enjoyed family and shared her time with them unselfishly. She was a member of the Wickenburg Garden Club, Gem and Mineral Society, Quilting Club, and the Christian Church. She is missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her for her laughter, kindness, and genuine concern for others.
Both were cremated and their remains will be buried in the Durham Cemetery, Durham, Illinois, on Friday, July 8, 2011 at a 10:00 am graveside memorial service with Nate McCarter officiating. Family, friends, and neighbors are welcome to attend. Banks & Beals Funeral Home, LaHarpe is assisting with arrangements.