Mary Lou Bye

Mary Lou Bye, age 89, of New Castle, passed away Wednesday morning in Hancock Regional Hospital following a brief illness. She was born April 6, 1922 in English, Indiana, a daughter of the late Emery and Mary L. (Austin) Sturgeon.

A 1941 graduate of English High School, she and her husband, Reverend H.B. Bye evangelized for many years throughout the United States and Canada for the Apostolic church. They held revival services in all 48 continental states and in Canada, making them well known throughout several Apostolic Pentecostal organizations. They then pastored in Joliet, IL for over 23 years. Lovingly known to most as “Sister Bye”, she moved to New Castle in August of 1998 where she was an active member of the First Apostolic Church.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a brother, Thomas E. (wife, Mae) Sturgeon of Indianapolis; an “adopted” granddaughter, Rebekah Brown of New Castle, with whom she had resided; several nieces and nephews, and a host of church family around the nation.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Hubert B. Bye in March, 1991, whom she married May 23, 1942; five sisters, Sarah Elizabeth Sturgeon, Hester Timberlake, Elsie Jane Borst, Mildred Wisner, and Beulah Welch; four brothers, Chester, Edward, Clarence, and Robert Sturgeon.

Services will be at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, March 31, 2012 at First Apostolic Church in New Castle with Pastors John D. Beck Sr. and Richard Martin officiating. Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. Saturday at the church prior to services. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2012 at Woodlawn Memorial Park 1 in Joliet, IL with Pastor Timothy Cayten officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Memorial contributions may be given to First Apostolic Church, 418 New York Ave., New Castle, IN 47362 or First Apostolic Tabernacle of Joliet, PO Box 3546, Joliet, IL 60434. You may express condolences or share a memory of “Sister Bye” at www.hinsey-brown.com .