Wayne County Press
Fairfield Illinois
Thursday, May 2, 1985
Page 2

A retired farmer, John F. Byars, 79, of Texico, the father of Mrs. Donald (lrene) Ward, of Bluford, died at 5: 30 a.m. Sunday, April 28, 1985, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Byars was Field township assessor for 16 years.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Panther Fork Missionary Baptist Church with Elders Melvin Chambliss and Steve Hamson officiating. Burial followed in Panther Creek cemetery.

Mr. Byars was born in Jefferson county April 25, 1906, the son of Elmer and Mammie Hawkins Bvars. He was wed to the former Opal Lowry, who survives.

A member of Panther Fork Missionary Baptist Church, Mr. Byars was a deacon for 53 years. He taught Sunday School for several years.

Survivors include his wife, Opal Byars of Texico; one daughter, Mrs. Donald (Irene) Ward, of Bluford; one brother, Dalmer Byars, of Mt. Vernon; three sisters, Mrs. Belle Bandy and Mrs. Edith Robinson, both of Texico; and Mrs. Icel Bandy, of luka; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.