Karyle Smith

Karyle Leanne (Mierke) Smith of Elba, peacefully entered her eternal garden of rest on May 31st, 2026, at the age of 82. Born December 29th, 1943, to Harold Francis and Luella Mary (Bastian) Mierke of Lyons, NY.

Karyle is survived by her children Shawn (Donna) Lane, Michele (Frank) Maniaci, Patrick (Debra) Lane, David (Denise) Morse, Francis (Patricia) Smith, Brian (Sue) Smith, Deborah (Bruce) Miller; Brothers Charles Harold (Polly) Mierke, Robert Edward (Joanne) Mierke; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Karyle was born and raised in Lyons, NY and attended high school in Ithaca, NY. Later moving to Byron, where she would raise Shawn, Michele, and Patrick alongside her first husband, Stephen Lane. They would reside on Hessenthaler road near the Bergen Swamp and were caretakers of the property for several years, instilling a love of nature and adventure into their children.

Through the changing seasons of life and mutual friends, Karyle met Fred, and they were married on August 23rd, 1980. Karyle and Fred enjoyed many seasons of friends and family gatherings at their home away from home at Wildwood Lake, traveling cross-country to visit family, and were fierce supporters of their children and grandchildren alike. Traveling great distances to many sporting events, predominantly for their hometown Elba Lancers. Karyle enjoyed the serenity of bird watching (particularly her hummingbirds), gardening, knitting, preparing floral arrangements, and loved decorating and baking for Christmas. In her later years she enjoyed visits from family and friends especially her great grandchildren whom she enjoyed nurturing, watching bloom, and even could be found sharing a piece of cheesecake

with.

Over the course of her life she proudly served with Byron Ambulance Squad in its early days, worked many jobs supporting her family, including Bach Plastics, Sears, Black and Decker, Tops and eventually retiring from the Genesee County Mental Health Association.

In addition to her parents, Karyle is reunited in death with her sister Cheryle Jeanne (Bobby) Shular and her loving husband of 45 years Fred Lewis Smith who passed just three weeks prior on May 9th.

The family would like to extend thanks to special neighbors Cheryl Richenberg, Donna Hillabush, and The DeLelys family for all of their help looking out for both Karyle and Fred through the years.

Friends and family may gather for calling hours from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the H. E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home located at 403 East Main Street Batavia, NY 14020. Funeral services will take place at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home, Batavia, on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 10:00 am. Karyle will be laid to rest next to her husband Fred at the North Byron Cemetery in a private burial ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be considered to Elba Volunteer Fire Department Inc., PO Box 58 Elba, NY, 14058 and/or the Elba Sports Backers Inc., PO Box 370 Elba, NY 14058.