David E. Byrd

David E. Byrd, 78, of Sullivan, Missouri, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2020 at Mercy Hospital – Saint Louis. 

David Earl Byrd was born May 6, 1942 to Earl and Ella (McKinney) Byrd in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dave grew up and attended school in Grandin and graduated from Cahokia High School, Class of 1960. Upon graduation, Dave enlisted into the United States Air Force, where he honorable served our country for four years. 

Dave was united in marriage to Joyce Hart on July 9, 1966 and to this union three children were born: Kris, Jeff and John. Together, they began raising their family in Cahokia, IL, before moving to the Sullivan area in 1976 to make their final home. Dave was employed with Ameren for 38 years, retiring in 2006. 

Dave loved playing a round of golf, fishing, traveling, playing pinochle and was a dedicated third-degree Mason. He also dearly loved and cherished his puppy dog, Gabby. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by many.

Dave is survived by his wife, Joyce, of Sullivan, MO; a daughter, Kris Weaver and husband, Michael, of Belle, MO; two sons, Jeff and wife, Elizabeth, of Sullivan, MO, & John and wife, Shandy, of Sullivan, MO; six grandchildren: Ashley Bland and husband, James, of Booneville, MO, Victoria Chavez and husband, Alejandro, of San Antonio, TX, Alexis Byrd of Chicago, IL, Johnni Byrd of Branson, MO, Kolten Byrd of Sullivan, MO, and Austin Weaver of Belle, MO; one great-grandchild, JC Bland; two brothers, Jimmy Byrd  of Mount Clare, IL, and Michael Byrd and wife, Sandy, of Mclean, IL; three sisters: Irene Zimmerman of Gillespie, IL, Sharon Crow and husband, Denny, of Marine, IL, and Cathy Selph and husband, Don, of Minier, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ella Byrd; three brothers: Lloyd, Dean and Robert Byrd; and a sister, Debbie Durbin. 

Funeral Services were 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the Eaton Funeral Home Chapel in Sullivan, with Pastor John Blackmore officiating. Interment will follow in Midlawn Memorial Gardens in Union, with full military honors. 

Visitation was held from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday, prior to the funeral service at the Eaton Funeral Home Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater KC. 

Friends can send online condolences to Dave’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.