Donald Eugene Byars, 83, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 6:00 a.m., Sunday, December 21, 2025, at GreenTree Assisted Living, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

            He was born July 13, 1942, in Kell, Illinois, the son of Wallace and Fay (McMeen) Byars.  On July        23, 1966, he married Beverly Wilson, and she preceded him in death in May of 1995.  On May 2, 1998, in Mt. Vernon, he married Jane Alice Latta, and she survives.

            Don’s life was marked by humility, faith, courage, and a deep commitment to serving God, his family, and his community.  He was always ready with a helping hand, hammer, or chain saw.  He utilized his skills to help others, whether it was fixing a roof, trimming a tree, or tweaking a garage door.  He retired from Kell Volunteer Fire Department after 25 years, and fulfilled many roles there, including Assistant Chief.  As a lifelong member of Panther Fork Baptist Church, he served as Treasurer, Clerk, and also served on several building committees.

            Don accrued many titles, including “Loudest Fan” at his Grandkids’ ballgames, “Official Can-Fix-Anything Guy”, “Neighborhood Wildlife Feeder and Moderator”, and the founder of the Peanut Butter Makes Everything Better club.  He was a connoisseur of custard pie, banana pudding, and Coca-Cola.  Always ready with a smile and a joke, his kindness and love will be missed by all.

            In addition to his wife, Jane Byars of Mt. Vernon, he is survived by a daughter, Karen Byars Roth of Aviston, Illinois; two sons, John Burge (Leann) of Mt. Vernon, and Chris Burge (Sheila) of Mt. Vernon; step-children, Crystal Hefner (Jeff) of Harrisburg, Illinois, and Russell Bishop of Carrier Mills, Illinois; grandchildren, Andrew Burgin (Sherrie), Alyssa Spicuzza (Tanner), Aaron Burge (Kelsey), Nathan Roth, Reagan Roth, Lane Bond (Kalyn), Connor Burge (Lyndsey), Colton Burge (Miranda), Breanna Hefner (Sean), and Dylan Hefner; great-grandchildren, Trey and Teigan Spicuzza, Oliver and Louise Burge, Maggie and Junie Burge, and Kouvr Bond; sister, Shirley (Byars) Wilson and husband Max of Dix; brother-in-law, Steve Smith of Mt. Vernon; sister-in-law, Sarah Lou (Wilson) Bicknell of Mt. Vernon; and many nieces and nephews.

            He was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly (Wilson) Byars; daughter, Cheryl Lynn Bond; brother, William Floyd Byars; and sister, Phyllis Ann (Byars) Smith.

Funeral services for Mr. Byars will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon), Friday, December 26, 2025, at Panther Fork Baptist Church, with Rev. John Ashby officiating.  Burial will follow at Panther Fork Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Friday, December 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m., until the hour of service, at the church.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, or the Panther Fork Cemetery Fund, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830.  Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.