Vernon Byrer

Vernon J. Byrer, 90, a resident of the Kootenai Valley for the past 53 years, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at the Libby Care Center.

He had been a mechanic at Aronson Motors until opening Vern's Auto Repair Shop, which he had operated for many years until his retirement.

He was born Jan. 27, 1916, at Modesto, Calif., to Forrest and Edna (Mohler) Byrer and came to Montana with his family as a very young child. Vern grew up on ranches near Kolin and Winifred.

He married Donna Williamson May 29, 1939, at Lewistown. Vern worked as a cowboy and later as a mechanic; in 1942, he and his family moved to Polson where he and his brother Dyme operated a Case Farm Machinery business for a time.

Vern and Donna and their family came to Libby in 1952. His wife Donna preceded him in death in 1984 as well as an infant son Donald in 1941 and brothers Mendon and Dyme and sisters Ferrell and Orpha, brothers-in-law Walt Smith and Ken Williamson.

Vern enjoyed riding horses, boating, water skiing, hunting, fishing and music, playing the guitar, piano and trumpet. Vern also built four boats and at the age of 70, began riding a motorcycle. He continued riding for 10 years and especially enjoyed riding to Eureka for lunch. Vern loved the Lord and attended the Church of God at Lewistown and the Assembly of God churches in Polson and Libby.

Vern is survived by his children Dale and Deanna Byrer of Libby, Charlene Alexander and Bruce Alexander of Buford, Ga., and Jim and Carol Byrer of Lewiston, Idaho; a sister-in-law, Judy Smith of Missoula; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the City of Libby Cemetery.