Charles R. Byrns

Charles R. Byrns, 54 of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015 at the Elkhart Hospice House, surrounded by his family.

He was born May 27, 1961 in Beloit, Wisc. to Charles J. and Geraldine E. (Ahrens) Byrns. He married Laura K. Gutschow on Sept. 6, 1986 in Belvidere, Ill. She survives along with a daughter, Kathryn (Neil) Lane of South Bend and a son, Daniel (Erica) Byrns of Mishawaka; 2 grandchildren, Raelynn and William “Liam” Lane; “Other children”, Tim (Bethany) Stauffer and Kimberly Stauffer; “Other grandchildren”, Andrew, Dylan and Slate Stauffer; 3 sisters, Traci (Greg) Manthey of Orfordville, WI, Toni (David) Ciabatti of Brodhead, WI and Dana Garton of Beloit, WI and 2 brothers, Chris (Shelly) Byrns of Beloit, WI and David Garton of Chicago, IL, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Charles spent most of his employment in plumbing sales and was a jack of all trades. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was a member of the praise team and youth ministries at First United Methodist Church. He loved to fish and sing karoke. He was a former volunteer fireman for Osolo Township Fire Department.

Visitation for Charles will be Thursday, Jan. 7th from 4-8 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, where services will be held at 11 am Friday, Jan. 8th with Pastor Ron Mabry officiating. Inurnment will follow at Rice Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County. Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.