Ival Glen Bilyeu

Ival G. Bilyeu, age 86, of Bolivar, Missouri, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in the Missouri Veterans' Home in Mount Vernon on Thursday, June 26, 2014 after a long illness. He was born March 13, 1928 in Ozark, Missouri, the son of Clyde and Glen Bilyeu. Ival began his career in the grocery business in Springfield with his father before serving in the Army during the Korean War. After returning from service, he met and married Freeda Vowell in Waterford, California on April 23, 1955. He served as an assistant manager at a Safeway grocery store in Modesto, California before becoming the owner of his own grocery store in Glen Ellen, California. Later, he and his family moved to Missouri, eventually purchasing Northside Market in Bolivar in 1972 and building Bilyeu's Supermarket in Hermitage. He was instrumental in the development of the Indian Hills Shopping Center in Hermitage and served on the board of the Pomme de Terre Lake area development. Upon retirement, Ival and Freeda became charter members of the Southwest Missouri Itasca Travel Club. Ival served as the local chapter President for four years and the state chapter President for two years. Ival enjoyed traveling, fishing, bowling, golfing and playing cards. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Darwin. Ival was preceded in death by his parents, and a granddaughter, Sheila. He is survived by his wife, Freeda Bilyeu; three children: Cherlyn Land and husband Russell, Cindy Appleby, and Eric Bilyeu and wife Karen; and six grandchildren: Kristy Appleby, Kyle Appleby, Nicholas Land, Ryan Land, Aiden Bilyeu, and Makenna Bilyeu. A closed casket visitation for Ival will be held on Monday, June 30, 2014 from 10:00 - 11:00 am at the Butler Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service at 12:30, at Selmore Cemetery, south of Ozark, will follow the visitation on Monday. Reverend Neil Graham officiated. Pallbearers were: Russell Land, Nicholas Land, Ryan Land, Kyle Appleby, Danny Ross and Jeff White. Friends and family may come to sign the guestbook on Monday morning at 8:00 am. PDF Printable Version

Ival Glen Bilyeu

March 13, 1928 - June 26, 2014