Wayne Byerhof

Wayne E. Byerhof, age 86, Elburn, passed away peacefully, Thursday, May 09, 2019, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family. He leaves a legendary trail of stories and made an indelible mark that was unmistakenly Wayne.

He was born July 22, 1932 the son of Joseph E. and Lola (Elleby) Byerhof in Aurora, IL.

Wayne grewup in rural Kaneville, where he graduated from from Elburn High School with the class of 1950 as the valedictorian. He served his country during the Korean War from 1952-1956, as a medic in the U.S. Air Force. Upon returning to civilian life after his honorable discharge in 1956 he attended Northern Illinois University and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting.

In 1959, Wayne became a member of the Elburn Police Department were he served as a patrolman, Sergeant, Deputy Chief and Chief of Police. During his tenure he served as the Chief of Police five different times, stepping down as the Chief in July of 1997. He continued to serve part time as the Deputy Chief stepping down from Patrol at the age of 69 in 2002 but still worked for the department heading fleet maintanence and other assignments. Wayne also served as the treasurer for the village of Elburn for sixteen years. Although most often remembered in Elburn for his policemans uniform, Wayne also helped Conley Funeral Home as an ambulance driver and a trained attendant in 1959. Conley Funeral Home and Ambulance as taken over in 1972 by the Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District where he served as an EMT and later as a Paramedic. In 1981, Wayne took over the responsibility of the books and minuting of the Fire Distric Meeting until 2002 when he retired. During his time with Conley’s, he went back to his educational roots and started his private sector accounting career in Aurora in 1961, at Austin-Western, The Vendo Company and later for Monitor Manufacturing before retiring as it’s controller in 1992.

Wayne was a member of the Community Congregational Church and a charter member of the Kaneland Fox Hunter’s Club where he enjoyed hunting in his native state of Illinois. He hunted whenever his busy work schedule would allow and since 1997, he has tried to outwit “Wile Coyote” in a neverending pursuit of which he never tired.

He now leaves his wife Jodeen; three children: Jeffrey (Cindy) Byerhof, Mark (April) Byerhof and Mary (Brian) Krueger; nine grandchildren: Jessica Byerhof, Caleb (Amber) Byerhof, Courtney Byerhof, Shira Ealey, Christopher Ealey, Brekk (Eric) Callaway, Joseph Byerhof, Cody Byerhof and Troy Krueger; several great-grandchildren; one brother Lloyd (Joan) Byerhof and several nieces and nephews.

He now joins his parents Joseph and Lola Byerhof who preceded him n death.

Visitaiton will be from 3- 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL 60119. Private family funeral services have already been held.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Wayne’s name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Wayne Byerhof Memorial”, and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL, 60119. Tributes may be sent to the same address, or online at the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page and at www.conleycare.com, where you can read his full life story.

Visitaiton will be from 3- 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL 60119. Private family funeral services have already been held.