STEVEN MAX BYERS

After six months of illness, Steven Max Byers, age 62, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 1:25 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2009 at Select Specialty Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN surrounded by his family at his bedside. Born on June 12, 1947 in Fort Wayne, IN he was the son of Harry Max and Marjorie Alice (VanCuren) Byers. A lifelong resident of Columbia City growing up in the Tri-Lakes area, he graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1965. Steve enlisted in the United States Navy in 1966 and he served in Vietnam stationed on the U.S.S. Ranger. On November 20, 1970, he was united in marriage to Carolyn "Carol" Elaine Craft in Whitley County, IN. A longtime tool & die maker, he worked at C & A Tool in Churubusco, IN from 1978 to 1984. In 1984, he started working for Precision Plastics as a tool and die maker until 1994 when he returned to his present job at C & A Tool, Columbia City through February, 2009. He was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church.Survivors include his wife, Carol E. Byers of Columbia City; son, Jason Scott (Adela) Byers of Columbia City; daughter, DeeDee Elaine Sowers of Columbia City; 2 grandchildren, James Wesley Byers and Abigail Elaine Ruch both of Columbia City; sister, Mary (Doug) Harp of Pittsboro, IN; 2 brothers, David (Jeannie) Byers and Danny Byers both of Columbia City; 2 half-brothers, Jimmy (Paula) Davis of Columbia City and Mike (Ruth) Davis of Fort Wayne. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Max Byers and Marjorie Alice Byers Davis.A memorial service is on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with one hour of calling prior to service with the family at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Pastor Michael Dillon of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church will officiate. Memorial donations may be given to the Steven Byers family. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.Click here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.