Shelia Dawn Byington
October 5, 1947 - November 21, 2023
Sheila Dawn Byington was born October 5, 1947, in Logan, Utah, the first child of three born to Gerald Lamar Byington and Beverly Atkinson. She died on November 21, 2023, from complications related to a very recent cancer diagnosis.
She lived in California during her early years but considered Nevada home, growing up in cities throughout the state due to her father’s work for Farmer’s Home Administration for the federal government. Sheila graduated from Sparks High School in 1965. She married in 1966, had four children, and later divorced. Sheila is survived by her four children: Dianne Balmain, Heather (Todd) Irwin, Michelle (Darin) Vandecar, and Justin Robison. Her children always felt her love and deep care for them.
She was a proud grandma to 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, whom she would take on adventures in nature to share her love of gardening and rock collecting — a hobby she shared with her father. In 2007, she married John (Jack) VanDien and was happily with him until his death in 2017. They loved to travel together and be involved in local civic activities. Sheila moved to Wellsville, Utah, in 2021 to care for her aging mother.
She served her community professionally as the city manager for the Town of Minden for 25 years and volunteered in her community through a variety of civic and church organizations. She had a deep affection for genealogy and family history and enjoyed sharing the life stories she uncovered with others.
One of her favorite poems was “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. She always wanted her obituary to say she lived from 1947 - (now we know) 2023, and if you didn’t know her during “the dash”, there wasn’t much to say now. A family-only graveside service will be set for a future date in Hyrum, Utah. She will be put to rest near her mother and father.
Services are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. Memoires and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com