- Date Of Birth: April 13, 1927
- Date Of Death: May 17, 2015
- State: Illinois
Louie Lee Byars, 88, of Centralia died Sunday, May 17, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. He was born April 13, 1927, in Keens, son of Louis and Stella Lee (Sandy) Byars.
He married Mary Jacqueline (Jackie) Veltman on July 11, 1951, in Piggett, Ark.
In addition to his wife, Louie is survived by his two daughters, Jane Ann Sensel and husband Don of Walnut Hill, and Lori Breeze and husband Graham of Jackson, Tenn.; two grandsons, Lucas Schnake and special friend Veronica Wright of St. Louis, and Micah Sensel and wife Hollie of Carlyle; a great-grandson, Zane Lee Sensel; a cousin, Barry Byars of Denver and wife Tana; and one second-cousin, Kelley Byars of San Francisco. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Doyle Byars; a sister, Phyllis Gary; sister-in-law, Marcella Byars; brother-in-law, Ben Gary; and uncle and aunt, Roger and Rosalie Byars. Louie spent his entire career with Illinois Central Rail Road and retired as a Carman in 1981. He served as a fireman first class in the U.S Navy from 1945-46. He was a member of Calumet Street Christian Church and served as a member of the Raccoon Water District Board. He loved spending time with his family and sitting outdoors with Jackie and their dog and cat, Peppy and Fritzy. He would plant a large garden every year and enjoyed sharing what he grew with friends. Louie farmed his land in his spare time and would have full-time if he could have. He loved watching St. Louis Cardinals games.
