Phyllis “Kathie” Byers

If you ever met her, you loved her.

Phyllis Kathleen (Bartak) Byers, known affectionately as Kathie, became one of God’s angels on June 2, 2025. Born on October 9, 1950, in Niles, Michigan, to Edward and Bernice Bartak, Kathie lived a life overflowing with love, laughter, and service to others.

A 1968 graduate of Niles High School, she attended Patricia Stevens Career College in Chicago, IL. After graduating, Kathie became a flight attendant for Purdue Airlines, where fate brought her together with Donald S. Byers. They married on May 2, 1970, and had recently celebrated 55 wonderful years of marriage.

Their life together began in West Point, IN, where they built their first home and welcomed their daughter, Karma Lyna. A move to Muncie, IN followed, where their second daughter, Kendra Corryne, was born. Kathie devoted two decades in Muncie to caring for countless children in her home daycare—creating a safe, joyful space where little ones learned, played, and often splashed in the backyard pool and also making the best Sloppy Joes for all Wes-Del sports concession stands.

Kathie and Don moved to Brownsburg, IN, in 1996, building a new home and embracing a new chapter. Kathie worked at Kmart in Brownsburg from 1996 until her retirement in 2015. In 2010, they fulfilled a dream and bought a lake house on Douglas Lake in Sevierville, TN, where they would eventually retire and live full-time.

Kathie was deeply rooted in her community—both in Indiana and Tennessee. She served as a Girl Scout leader, volunteered for the Sevierville County Fair, and cherished countless friendships across the states. Her favorite place was Dollywood, and one of her most treasured memories was seeing Dolly Parton in person.

Kathie is survived by her loving husband Don, her daughters Karma Deady (Chad) of Noblesville, IN, and Kendra Shaw (Christopher) of Ponte Vedra, FL. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Nolan Matthew Deady (13), Colton Steven Shaw (16), and Kamlyn Ruby Shaw (12). She is also survived by her beloved sisters: Lynda (Arthur) Young of Cape Coral, FL; Elaine (Mike) Thompson of Niles, MI; and Cindi Holland of Osceola, IN.

Kathie’s warmth, kindness, and hugs touched everyone she met. Her legacy lives on through the lives she shaped and the love she gave so freely.

If you see a butterfly, it’s Kathie reminding you to have a Super, Fantastic Day—because the best is yet to come.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Service will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Fr Smokey Oats officiating. Livestream of the service will be available on Kathie’s obituary page at www.soller-baker.com.   Interment will be at West Point Cemetery in West Point, Indiana.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Kathie’s memory.  You may leave condolences and memories at www.soller-baker.com.