Jennie Elizabeth Byerley

Jennie Elizabeth (Mueller) Byerley, (also sometimes known as Jane) died on February 1 after a brief illness. She was born in Wichita February 23, 1924, the third child of Ina Belle and Harrie S. Mueller. After attending Park School and Wichita North High School and working a year at radio station KFH, she graduated from Colorado Womens College in Denver, and the University of Wichita. She was a physical education major (a modern dancer) with minors in English and History. She taught dance at Wichita East High School until May 1950. She was able to teach any sport well by seeing a good example-even swimming, though she did not swim herself. In March of 1950, she met William A (Bill) Byerley, was engaged in May and was married to him from that October for 43 years, until his death in 1993. Active in civic affairs, Jennie was a member and officer of the AAUW Thursday Afternoon Book Club, of Chapter CI/PEO, and Regent of Eunice Sterling Chapter DAR. She also served on multiple committees for the Synod of Kansas, United Presbyterian Church. She and Bill were active members of the University Club. She was a member of St. Pauls United Methodist Church growing up, and of Eastminster Presbyterian Church at her death. Jennie served multiple terms as an elected member of the Valley Center School Board and was a strong proponent of equal opportunities for girls. She was active as a Girl Scout volunteer, being troop leader from 1957 through 1970, as well as serving in other Wichita Area Girl Scout Council volunteer positions. She managed the Kansas Braille Association from 1968-1980, and was an active Brailleist for 30 years. Jennie was a long-time supporter of the performing arts in Wichita as a subscriber to both the Wichita Symphony and Music Theater of Wichita. From 1999 until her death, she made her home at Larksfield Place, where for the last three years she has been lovingly cared for by a wonderful healthcare staff. She is survived by her three children, Jane of Washington, DC, Bill (Susan) of Dallas, TX, and Mary Ruth (Robert Durrett) of Valley Center, KS; and two of her sisters, Harriett (Ed) Cheaney of Columbus, Ohio and Donna Goodrum of Springfield, VA. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Anne Archer-Byerley (David) of London, UK, Charles Stanton-Jones of London, UK, Sarah Byerley of Dallas, TX, Robert Durrett of Valley Center, KS, and Jennifer Stanton-Jones of Washington, DC. She was preceded in death by her young brother, Clifford Max; her sister, Mary Ann Oblinger, and her husband, Bill. Services will be Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 10:30 A.M., at Larskfield Place Auditorium, 7373 E. 29th St. N. Please send donations in her name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid America Chapter, 7611 State Line, Ste. 100, Kansas City, MO 64114. She is already deeply missed by all who knew her well. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.