Roman E. Byler, 80, of Pine Grove, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 13, 2025. He passed away at home unexpectedly, following a long cancer journey. He was born on Feb. 27, 1945, to the late Ervin and Emma Byler, of Smyrna, DE.
Roman accepted Jesus as his Saviour at a young age and was baptized at Harmony Christian Fellowship in Chestertown, MD. He appreciated the Mennonite church and was a life-long member. At the time of his passing, he was a member of Shirksville Mennonite Church, which he spoke of with high regard.
Roman was a carpenter by trade from his teenage years until he retired in 2006. He especially enjoyed constructing pole buildings, making it a priority to be “Your Golden Rule Builder,” valuing fairness and honesty in his business dealings. He looked for opportunities to hand out tracts and witness to his business partners. After his retirement, he spent six years in Alaska with family before settling in Pine Grove.
Roman always had a heart for those in need, locally and abroad. He freely used his resources to sponsor families, assist with medical needs, and support the church and kingdom work. His last few years were spent faithfully cutting hundreds of comforter patches for CAM.
Roman always had an intense interest in eschatology and anticipated the fulfillment of end-time prophecy. He longed to meet his Saviour. He was deeply concerned that all his children and descendants would meet him in Heaven. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002, and after treatment, he was in remission until 2017. More recently, the cancer had progressed to his bones and was causing intense pain. While he will be deeply missed, we rejoice that he is now pain-free, enjoying the presence of his Saviour.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, Susie D. (Yoder) Byler, Roman is survived by his sons, Dennis (Crystal), of Wasilla, AK, Harvey (Wendy), of Ephrata, Robert (Heidi), of Plainview, TX, William (Rachel) Forest, of OH, Roman “Buddy” Jr., of Dover, DE, and Bruce, of Felton, DE; daughters, Miriam (Dennis) Nolt, of Pine Grove, Norma (Ronald) Gehman, of Versailles, MO, and Elizabeth (Joseph) Horst, of Manheim; 42 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Barbara (David) Martin, of Lancaster, Rudy (Naomi), of Smyrna, DE, David (Kimberly), of Clayton, DE, and Rachel, of Lancaster.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Simon, John, Ervin Jr., Lydia Byler, and Martha Bell; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held from 1-3 p.m. and from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Both will be held at Swatara Mennonite Church, 10 Camp Swatara Road, Myerstown, PA 17067. Interment will follow at Shirksville Mennonite Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christian Aid Ministries, P.O. Box 360, Berlin, OH 44610-0360.
