Ralph A. Byham

Ralph A. Byham, 70, of 375 Meadow Street, Meadville, died Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at the Meadville Medical Center.

He was born in Guys Mills December 17, 1935 a son of Rae and Ruth Oakes Byham.  He married Gertrude Louise Carpenter July 26, 1958 and she preceded him in death August 1, 2004.  He subsequently married Sandra Haught October 15, 2005 and she survives.

He retired in 1990 as President and Chairman of the Board of Venango Federal Savings Bank which became American Federal Savings Bank after 33 years of service.

He was a 1954 graduate of Randolph-East Mead High School and a graduate of Erie Commercial College.  He was Past President and a former member of the Franklin Kiwanis Club.  He attended First Church of God of Meadville and was a former member of First United Methodist Church of Franklin.  He enjoyed oil painting, woodworking, reading, hunting, fishing and his grandchildren.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Sandra, include: two sons, Michael Byham and his wife Jane of Franklin and Douglas Byham and his wife Doris of Meadville; one sister, Marjorie Burchard and her husband Clair of Guys Mills; five grandchildren, Julie, Jamie, Nathanael, Jonathan and Timothy Byham and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Howard Byham.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral and committal service will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Temple Jarrell, Pastor of First Church of God, officiating.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.