Obituary Notice – Clara M. Byers

GOWANDA:  Clara M. Byers, 103, a resident of Gowanda Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, formerly of Dunkirk, died May 24th, 2015 at her residence.  She was born in Sharon, PA on May 7, 1912, the daughter of the late James and May (Graham) McLaughry.  Mrs. Byers was a graduate of Mercer High School, Class of 1930, was a graduate of Westminster College in 1934 with a B.A and in 1935, she graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, PA with a B.S. in Social Work.

She served in the Probation Dept. as a volunteer in the Mercer County Courthouse from 1935-1936 and was a long time member of the First United Presbyterian Church, Dunkirk (since 1938) where she served as a Deacon, an Elder and a Church School teacher.  Mrs. Byers was a former member of the American Association of University Women, Meals on Wheels Volunteer and participated for many years in “Antique Shows” in both NY & PA.  She enjoyed collecting antiques and learning about their history.

Survivors include three daughters, Helen Meisinger, of Greenville, PA, Martha (Carlson) Yost, of Portsmouth, OH, Rebecca (Erlon “Chip”) Babcock, of Forestville and a son, Robert (Suzanne) Byers, of Limerick, PA.  Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews.  Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Frank Byers, whom she married April 24, 1937 in Mercer, PA and who died in 1991, by 4 sisters Mary Ewing, Helen Port, Rebecca Winters, Margaret LaFaye and by 3 brothers, DeOrmond, James & William McLaughry.

There will be no visitation observed.  A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.  Time and place to be announced.  Private Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredonia.  The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church, 19 West Fourth Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048.  Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville.  To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.