Harry Melvin Byers, 76, of Venango Township died at 7:45 a.m. Monday at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center after an illness.

Born Jan. 6, 1929, in Butler, he was the son of Austin and Jennie McKissick Byers.

He was a Protestant.

Mr. Byers had worked at Pullman Standard. He later became an independent truck driver. He also was employed at the former William Campbell Lumber business in northern Butler County until an accident limited his employment.

He served in the Army Air Corps in the early days of the Korean War. He then served an additional enlistment in the Army and attained the rank of staff sergeant.

He was a member of the sportsmen's club in Boyers and was an avid fisherman.

Surviving are two daughters, Hazel Michael of Polk and Jennie Reckner of Karns City; seven sons, Clarence and Terry Snow, both of Hilliards, Jim Snow of Emlenton, Ron Byers of Hilliards, Doug Byers of Clintonville, Harry Byers of Indianapolis, Ind., and Ernest Byers of Massachusetts; 13 grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren. A brother, F. Willis Byers of West Sunbury; and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty A. Ferguson Byers, who died March 16, 2000, and a brother.

<B>BYERS</B> - Friends of Harry Melvin Byers, who died Monday, June 6, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at H. JACK BUZARD FUNERAL HOME, Main Street, Eau Claire. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Calhoun, pastor of the Butler Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Burial will be at the Eau Claire Cemetery.