Karl “Ed” Byerly, 70, of North Baltimore, Ohio passed away June 12, 2023. He was born on March 5, 1953 to the late Karl W and Ruth (Plummer) Byerly in Portsmouth, Ohio. He married Alice Dennis and she survives him.
Ed is also survived by his children: Shannon (Kara) Byerly; Dawn Bruley; Renee (Gary) Yelenosky; Barbara (Ray) Crouse; Brad Mays (Diane Russell); and Matthew Mays; 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; siblings: Linda (Sam) Roeber; Karen Gibbs; Kathy Smith; Kristy (Jeff) Heldman; Tammy (Timothy) Dean; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law Robert Smith.
Ed was a 1971 graduate of Elmwood High School. He was a musician and at age 14 he started preforming with local bands and some of their songs were played on the radio. The most notable bands he played with were: Ramblin Man Band, Easy Street, Main Street, Country Gold, Copper Creek Road and East of Cheyenne. Ed provided the hint of bluegrass by playing the steel guitar, lead guitar and banjo. Band members said “he played the strings right of that thing” referring to Ed’s banjo playing prowess. When Kenny, a member of one of his bands, passed away, the band never replaced him, they just made Ed do more work. Ed played with Opry stars on the big stage in Nashville, and in and around Ohio. Ed opened for Porter Wagoner, Billy Ray Cyrus and John Michael Montgomery, and played steel guitar for Jeanie Seely. Ed opened for George Jones, Gene Watson, the Oak Ridge Boys, and many others. Ed was called upon numerous times to join Michael Twitty, son of Conway Twitty on tour. He was a member and the minister of music at Bethel Bible Church in North Baltimore.
Contributions in Ed’s honor may be gifted to “The James” The Ohio State University Foundation, University Square North, 14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201 or Bethel Bible Church, 350 N Beecher St, North Baltimore, OH 45872.
Visitation for Ed will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10:00 am until the time of his funeral service at 11:00 am at Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green. Burial will immediately follow at Weaver Cemetery, 10876 Eagleville Rd.
Online condolence as well as fond memories may be shared with Ed’s family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
