Leo Verne Byers

Leo Verne Byers, 96, of Newton, died Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. A celebration of life will be held from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Verne’s name can be left at the funeral home. (Please make checks payable to Arlene Byers.)

Leo Verne Byers was born on May 19, 1929, at home in Purdy, Iowa. He was the 2nd of 9 children of Russell and Ina Ferne (Etter) Byers. He grew up on the farm in Lucas County and was baptized at the Belinda Christian Church. He attended the Belinda country school and graduated from Chariton High School.

Verne proudly served his country in the US Army in Korea from 1951 – 1953, during the Korean War. He served in the motor pool and hauled ammunition to the front lines.

After returning from the service, Verne worked in several factories including Wood Bros, John Deere Waterloo works, Iowa Pack, Solar Aircraft, and Automatic Washer. In 1957 he purchased a Chevrolet 2-ton truck and started in business as Byers Trucking.

In December 1958, Verne was introduced to Arlene Cumpton by a mutual friend at the A&W in Chariton and it was love at first sight. They were united in marriage in Bloomfield, Iowa on June 5, 1959, and started their married life and family in Newton, Iowa. He retired after driving for almost 40 years and over 2 million accident-free miles. He was very proud of each truck he owned and took meticulous care of them. He was known to his trucker friends as “Poorboy”, his CB handle.

After retirement, he and Arlene enjoyed traveling to many states and spending time in Arizona in the winters. He restored several classic vehicles: a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, a 1955 Chevy pick-up, and a 1955 Chevy 2-ton truck, which he happily passed on to his son. He also enjoyed woodworking and created many projects and useful wooden items for his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Arlene; his children Dick (Darla) Byers, and Sally Johnson; grandchildren Annie Byers (Philip), Dustin Byers (Sarah), Casey Byers (John), Julia Buman (Ryan), Brian Johnson (Chloe), and Danielle Johnson; great-grandchildren Destiny, Trinity, Serenity, Autumn, Mason, Collin, Eleni, Tammy, and Addy; great-great-grandchild Anthony; brothers Arlen (Shirley) Byers and Jim (Donna) Byers; brother-in-law Jerry Stevenson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Donna Jean (Bob) Lee, Thelma Stevenson, Bob (Betty) Byers, Carol Demoss, Connie (Allen) Loyd, and Roger Byers in infancy; brother-in-law Walter Loynachan; daughter-in-law Robin Byers; and son-in-law Kurt Johnson.