MEADVILLE - Joan R. Byham, 86, of Meadville, passed away, Monday, March 6, 2017. She was born on March 9, 1930, in Indiana, PA; daughter of the late John "Jack" and Leona Rupp Richards. She married William A. Byham on March 24, 1951, he preceded her in death in 1996.

Joan graduated from Meadville Area High School in 1948 and attended Allegheny College where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She worked at Loeffler's Flower Shop for many years and was member of the Christ Episcopalian Church. Joan was an active member of the Meadville Community. She was a member of the Meadville Garden Club, Meadville Antique Study Club, Hillside Home board of directors, the Stitch & Bitch Group, Iroquois Club, Meadville Country Club, the YWCA board of directors and alongside her husband William "Bill" Byham owned and operated for 45 years the Byham Funeral Home, Byham-McBride Funeral Home, Byham-McBride-Miller Funeral Home and Byham-Miller-Mizner Funeral Home, Inc., proudly serving Meadville and surrounding communities.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband William "Bill" Byham, her twin brother, Jack Richards, sister-in-law Lois Richards and niece Leigh Ann Richards Fry.

Survivors include her two daughters, Gerry Deane and her husband Terry of Saegertown; and Lisa Stephenson and her husband Kevin of Belmont, CA; and two sons, Richard Byham and his wife Susan of Land O' Lakes, FL and John Byham of Meadville; four grandchildren Camri McAvoy, Jenn & Missy Stephenson and Scott Deane; three great grandchildren, Wil McAvoy, and Maddi and Pyper Deane; also one nephew Jack Richards of Sebastopol, CA.

Friends and family are invited to the Meadville First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty Street, Meadville PA, 16335, on April 27, 2017 from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at 1:00 P.M..

Burial will be private and take place at Greendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Saegertown Library, 325 Broad St, Saegertown, PA 16433.

The Ryan M. Warren Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 544 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA, has been entrusted with the care of arrangements.

Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Joan's Book of Memories at www.warrenfh.com

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