John E. Byrne, 88, lifelong Kansas City area resident, passed away September 19, 2011. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 23, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery South. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 4911 S. Arrowhead Dr., Independence, Missouri 64055 and/or Special Olympics, 1001 Diamond Ridge, Suite 800, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109. Mr. Byrne was born July 2, 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri, son of Clarence O. and Edna Mae (Harmon) Byrne. On December 28, 1951 he married Bessie J. Smith. He worked for several printing companies as a pressman, retiring in 1988. He enjoyed golfing; grew up on a golf-course. He was preceded in death by his daughter Debra Lecuyer, brother Clarence Byrne and sister Beverly Byrne. Mr. Byrne is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bessie Byrne of the home; sons John Jeffrey Byrne of Miami, Florida and David Byrne of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren Jonathan Lecuyer and Melissa Lynn; and great-grandson Kai Lynn. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.
