EUGENE GARALD BYER

Eugene Gerald Byer, age 89, passed away at 4:05 pm Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. He was the son of Herbert G. and Ruby (Laukhart) Byer and was born on June 18, 1920 in Adams County, IN.

He graduated from Ligonier High School with the Class of 1938, where he also was honored to be the Class Valedictorian. Gene went on to attend Purdue University and earned his Bachelors in Economics with the Class of 1942. In 1943 he received his MBA at Harvard University and then went on to receive his PhD at Purdue University in Agricultural Economics.

Whether he was golfing, traveling, or spending quality time with his wife and family, Gene lived his life to the fullest and was the cherished husband of Joan Bantham whom he married on December 18, 1948 in Albany, NY. After his schooling was completed and where he had been a part of the ROTC Program at the university, Gene joined the United States Navy where he earned the rank of Second Lieutenant serving in the South Pacific Theater during WWII. He served his country proudly from 1942-1946 earning eight battle stars. After his discharge he moved he and his family to Columbia City in 1950, where they owned and operated the Farmers Grain and Feed until 1983. From 1983 until the present he worked as a Grain Market Consultant, most recently for Zolman Farms, Inc. in Warsaw and Midwest Poultry, North Manchester.

Gene was a man of many passions and talents and one of those being a member of the Columbia City First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Church Treasurer. He was a member of the Columbia City American Legion Post #98, Past President of the Columbia City Rotary Club in 1957, he was a past board member of the Peabody Library, Past Chairman of the Whitley County Red Cross, Past President of the Indiana Grain and Feed Dealers Association and also served on numerous National Grain Boards. Gene was honored to be a member of the John Purdue Club, the Whitley County Purdue Ag Alumni, as well as an avid golfer.

Gene leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Joan Byer of Columbia City; 2 daughters, Valerie (Richard) Rouch, Columbia City and Susan Cearbaugh, St. Joe; 2 sons, John Byer, Fort Wayne and David (Heidi) Byer, Phoenix, AZ; 7 grandchildren, Jarod (Marcie) Mills, Phoenix, AZ, Clark Mills, Miller Beach, IN, Andrew (Katie) Mills, Columbia City, Chelsie Byer, Columbia City, Meredith Cearbaugh, St. Joe, IN, Weston Cearbaugh, Fort Wayne and Jacob Byer, Columbia City; 2 great grandchildren, Danyn Cearbaugh, St. Joe and Caydence Parrett, Columbia City; 1 brother, Robert (Lois) Byer, Fort Wayne and 1 sister, Mary Lou (Lester) Phipps, Warsaw, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Betty Wolfe and Katherine Holt, 1 brother, Herbert Byer, Jr. and 1 grandson, Joshua David Mills.

Visitation will be on Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 2-7 pm and from 9 am until the hour of service on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 10 am at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Rev. Sue Babovec, chaplain at the Peabody Retirement Center will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Thorn Cemetery, Ormas. Memorials may be made in honor of Mr. Byer to the Whitley County YMCA or the Whitley County Literacy Council. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To sign the guest register or to send the family condolences, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com .