Gene “Mike” Byram, of Columbia City, , died at 11:02 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

He was born on Jan. 20, 1944, to Herbert and Betty (Sullivan) Byram in Fort Wayne.

He had a passion for wood working  and owned and operated his business, “Mike’s Wood”, for many years. After four years in the military, Mike’s duties were fulfilled and he was discharged. He began working for the railroad and International Harvester. Mike worked at a few other places, and it was while working that he met his future wife in 1988.

Mike’s family includes his wife: Teresa Byram; daughter, Tara (Chad) Fulk of Albion; sons, Michael (Karlena) Byram, Fort Wayne; Keith (Tanyssa Lortie) Byram, Fort Wayne; and Brock (Nicole) Byram, South Whitley; sister: Julie LeCoque of Fort Wayne; brother: Terry Byram, Fort Wayne; and eight grandchildren with the ninth one expected in June of 2015. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or Shepherds House for Veterans.