Mary Bybee

Published 1:21 pm Friday, October 31, 2025

June 28, 1936 – October 27, 2025

In Loving Memory of Mary Elizabeth Bybee (June 28, 1936 – October 27, 2025)

Mary Elizabeth Bybee, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Village of Heather Hills after a six-week illness. Her heartfelt wish throughout her illness was to return to her Heather Hills family—both residents and staff—whose care and kindness meant the world to her.

Born in Greenville, Michigan to Orval and Edith (Johnson) Gates, Mary graduated from Niles High School and spent most of her life in her hometown before moving to Middleville in 2018 to be closer to her daughter. She built a distinguished career as an executive secretary at Kawneer, Clark Equipment Co., and Ameriwood.

Mary found joy in gardening, golfing, and sharing meals with friends. In Middleville, she cherished her Ladies Bible Study at First Baptist Church and fellowship at Peace Church. At Heather Hills, she embraced every activity, especially bingo and her beloved outings to Dollar Tree.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Charles Bybee Sr.; her stepson, Charles Bybee Jr.; and granddaughter, Ashley Schaefer Stahl.

Mary leaves behind a loving family: children Susan (Ken) Foster of Middleville, MI, and Corky (Tracy) Miller of Anahuac, TX; stepchildren Pam (Greg) Much of Jackson Township, OH, and Debra (Eric) Schaefer of Lakeville, IN; former daughter-in-law Su Bybee of Mishawaka, IN; grandchildren Valerie (Chris) Filiberto, Mary Elaine (Bobby) Roush, Allyson Foster, David (Jillian) Foster, Kellan and Ian Miller, Brody (Savannah) Miller, Michelle (Ryan) Carey, Keith (Frances) Much, Angela (Brian) Garber, Lauren Bybee, Megan (Danny) Sandoval, and Sara Schaefer; and great-grandchildren Luca and Kingston Filiberto, Olive and Graham Roush, Soren Foster, Kyle, Carter and Cameron Carey, Lucas Much, Bradley, Jakob and Evann Garber.

Mary’s legacy of love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Relatives and friends may meet with Mary’s family on Thursday, October 30 from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Beeler Gores Funeral Home in Middleville, and again on Friday, October 31 from 10 AM to 11 AM at Hope Community Church in Niles where a funeral service will take place at 11 AM with a luncheon to follow. A graveside service will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Cemetery at 2 PM. Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Mary’s family.