Jacob Anthony Byers

Jacob was born July 25, 1983 in Springfield, the son of Glen Byers and Diane Busch Townsend.

Jacob graduated from Chatham Glenwood High School in 2001. He then went on to earn an Electrician’s Certificate from Lincoln Land Community College. He loved playing the guitar; he could even play with his toes. He played at Abundant Faith in the Overcomer’s Band and at Sugar Creek United Methodist Church’s services. He also enjoyed reading and visiting zoos and botanical gardens. He was very environmentally conscious and donated his hair to locks of love.

He was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Miles Byers and Nelson Cook.

He is survived by his daughter, Sierra Moon Byers of Mt. Sterling; mother, Diane (husband, Timothy) Townsend of Springfield; father, Glen (wife, Fran) Byers of Wesley Chapel, FL; grandparents, William and Patsy Busch of Chatham, Phyllis Byers of Springfield, Jack and Elaine Townsend of Stockton, and Becky Cook of Moro; siblings, Nicholas (wife, Megan) Byers of Carbondale, Patrice Byers (companion, Deforest Peterson) of Cypress, TX, Andrea (husband, Jeremie) Bailey of Springfield, Jon Zettler of Chatham, Benjamen (wife, Melissa) Townsend of Springfield, and Abigail Townsend (fiancé, Ryan McGrath) of Ballwin, MO; and several aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins.

Cremation will be accorded following ceremonies by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2016 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 South Grand Ave. West, Springfield, with Pastor James Cockrell officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Support Network, SIU School of Medicine, Mail Code 19669, Springfield, IL 62794-9669.