John Everett Byers, age 70, of Knox, PA, passed away on August 9, 2014 at Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sligo, PA after a long battle with melanoma.

John was born on December 13, 1943 in Brookville, PA to Ruth (Stringfellow) and Everett Byers.

John graduated from Clarion High School in 1961.

He received his bachelors’ degree from Clarion State College, taught briefly at Reynolds Highs School in Greenville, PA, and then served four years in the Navy.

After his service he taught Problems of Democracy and Current Events for 25 years at Keystone High School and he touched the lives of many students until his retirement in 1996. That’s when his real work began and he spent his time helping his friends and neighbors, shoveling snow, mowing lawns, working in his greenhouse, and growing vegetables in a number of large gardens.

John also enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time outdoors, and being with his grandsons and friends. His nicknames and aliases included Pa, Boo-Boo, and Farmer John.

He married his “first wife” Sally (Miller) on June 17, 1972 and stayed faithfully by her side for 42 years.

John is survived by his wife Sally; his daughter Stacy Byers and son-in-law Justin Jakovac of Pittsburgh, PA; and his son Dan Byers and daughter-in-law Grace of Fairfax, VA; as well as three grandsons he adored, Evan Jakovac, Rhett Byers, and Kendall Byers, as well as his mother-in-law, Grace Miller, whom he cared for at home over the past few years. John is also survived by his brother, Randy Byers and sister-in-law Pat of Oil City, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many special friends and neighbors.

Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street in Clarion where visitors will be received on Tuesday, August 12 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.

An additional visitation with the family will be held from 10-11 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Twin Church Road in Knox on Wednesday, August 13.

Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Karen Parsh officiating. Interment will be in Phipps Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to either The Cancer Center at Clarion Hospital (150 Doctors Lane, Suite 1, Clarion, PA 16214) or Clarion County Sportsmen for Youth (PO Box 953, Knox, PA 16232).

To send online condolences visit www.goblefh.net.