Pastor Byron David Newland, 88, of Ottumwa, Iowa died on October 14, 2024 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born September 12, 1936 in LaPorte, Indiana to Garland and Gertrude “Midge” Parish Newland. He married Marthana Bloom on December 8, 1960 in Crescent City, California.

A graduate of LaPorte High School, he earned a B.A. in Divinity from Chicago Bible College, a B.A. in English from William Penn University and a Masters and Doctorate degrees from Logos University.

Pastor Byron served as pastor in churches in Limon, CO, Packwood, IA, Eddyville, IA and Edinburg, TX. Moving to Ottumwa in 1986, he served as pastor for 28 years at Hickory Grove Community Church, retiring in 2014. Part of his ministry was mission work traveling to various countries including Communist Cuba, Russia, El Salvador and a motorcycle trip to far southern Mexico.

As a young man he was an entrepreneur, owning and operating B&M Hauling and a tree trimming business. He also refereed various sports in the communities where he lived. He was District Director of Maps RVs, a group dedicated to rebuilding churches. He was a gifted carpenter and cook and a prolific gardener. Pastor Byron also enjoyed reading, writing poetry and calligraphy.

He was deeply loved by all of his family, especially his adoring grandchildren.

Surviving is his wife, Pastor Marthana; their children: Kathaleen (Mike) Hervey, Karlene (David) Dollins and Lance (Lindsey) Newland; daughter-in-law, Sheila Newland; 10 grandchildren: Jonathan (Brittany) Garza, Hannah (Chris) Gaines, Harrison (Leah) Dollins, Tyler (Erin) Hervey, Coleton (Leena) Hervey, Halle (Ben) Flowers, Donavan Newland, Lina Newland, Kendall Newland and Aria Newland; 15 great-grandchildren: Jude, Bonnie, Bellamy, Jacob and Jonah Garza, Averee, Kyler, Jack and Henry Gaines, Jude, Eliza and Luca Dollins, Fern, Francis and Finny Flowers; a sister, Marlene Hotko; two sisters-in-law: Joanne Decker and Genelle Bloom, and brother-in-law, Ron Bloom, and his beloved dog, Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Robert Decker, his parents-in-law, Jimmie and Florence Bloom, and two brothers-in-law, Ron Hotko and Jamie Bloom.

Visitation will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, October 20th at Reece Funeral Home, Ottumwa, IA. The family will be present to greet friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

His body will be taken to Oakley for private interment with family in the Oakley Cemetery, Oakley, KS at a later date.

Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, Blessings Soup Kitchen, Ottumwa or Samaritan’s Purse and may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.

Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com.