Toney Porter Byars

Toney P. Byars, age 63, of Goreville, Illinois, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, Illinois.

Toney was born November 19, 1960 in Royal Oak, Michigan, a son of Chesley and Willie M. (Edgil) Byars. He married Cherry L. Byars in Carbon Hill, AL. Toney grew up in Puryear, TN and worked at scrap yards, on tobacco farms and was a house painter in the construction field. He moved to Southern Illinois in 2017. He enjoyed working on small engines in his garage, collecting coins, and knives. He was an excellent painter and liked having conversations with people, as he was a people person.

He is survived by his wife Cherry L. Byars of Goreville, IL; daughter, Kristina (John) Waynick of Murray, KY and stepson Dustin (Michelle) Shanley of Cleveland, OH; five grandchildren, Haley Rose Jameson, Emily M. Jameson, Dylan Shanley, Ashton Shanley, Reagan Shanley; and his great granddaughter, Aurora Estes; three sisters, Pat Lewis, Susan (Clarence) Stephenson, and Kimma Byars; He is preceded in death by one stepson, Daniel J. Shanley; his parents, Chesley P. and Willie M. Byars; and five siblings, David Byars, Johnie Byars, Tom Byars, Barbara Farris, and Claudette Gerbasi.

Celebration of Life services will be held at Blue Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.