John M. Byers

UTICA- John Maurice Byers, 84, of Martinsburg Rd., died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 at Kindred Transitional Care & Rehabilitation Center in Newark.

He was born Sept. 18, 1931 in Columbus to the late John Stanley and Maude Belle (Sparks) Byers. He worked for Continental Can in Columbus for thirty-three years, and later for the Mt. Vernon Developmental Center until his retirement. He was a former troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America, and was very active in church. He was a member of the Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ellen (Guthrie) Byers of Utica, whom he married Dec. 25, 1965, his four children; Vicki (Joe) Tharp of Utica, Kevin (Kathy) Byers of Danville, David (Karen) Byers of Martinsburg, and Lisa (Steve) Wolfe of Mansfield, eleven grandchildren; Scott Tharp, Laura Tharp, Angela (Doug) Chadwick, Josh (Alicia) Byers, Kristi (Randy) Thomas, Kurt (Jessica) Byers, Jason (Laura) Geiger, Jeremy Geiger, Elizabeth Wolfe, Nicholas Wolfe, and Tyler Savage, fourteen great-grandchildren, three brothers-in-law; Arthur (Ruth) Ball of Heath, Gary (Ruth) Guthrie of Mobile, AL, and Myron (Mary Jane) Lowe of Frazeysburg, and two sisters-in-law; Marjorie Ward of Coshocton, and Judy Guthrie of West Carlisle.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary (Clinger) Byers, a daughter-in-law, Debbie (Smith) Geiger Byers, and two brothers-in-law; Robert Ward and Dale Guthrie.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville with Rev. Scott Sharpes officiating. Burial will follow in Valley View Cemetery at Warsaw. Calling hours are form 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4th at the funeral home. www.fischerfuneralhome.com

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