Derek Michael Byers, 35, North Manchester, passed away on October 17, 2023, at his home. The son of Dennis and Iyvonne Byers, Derek was born on March 19, 1988, in Columbia City.
Derek graduated from Manchester High School in 2006, where he was on the football team and was a lifter for cheerleading. He then attended Ivy Tech before going to work at Little Big Horn Golf Course, where he fell in love with the game of golf.
On August 18, 2008, Derek married the love of his life, Danielle Murphy. The two lived in Destin, Florida, for a short time, where Derek worked to help people recovering from addiction. He always accepted others no matter where they came from or what they did. Derek loved to help people in need, often looking for drivers stuck in the snow after he moved back to Indiana. He also worked as an office manager for Heritage Pointe of Huntington after relocating.
Derek swore that of all the places he lived, Indiana had the best sunsets. He had a special love for the water and particularly enjoyed water skiing and boating. He had an adventurous personality and wasn’t afraid to live. All of that changed, however, on July 20, 2014, when Derek was in a tragic accident. Though this dramatically changed his way of life, he remained grateful for his family and the care they provided him. Above all else, Derek took great pride in being a father to his two sons.
The loving memory of Derek Byers will be forever cherished by his wife, Danielle Byers, North Manchester; sons, Wyatt and Jaxson Byers; father and stepmother, Dennis and Melissa Byers, North Manchester; mother and stepfather, Iyvonne and Anthony Purkey Byers, Fort Wayne; brothers, Ryan Byers, Fort Wayne and Adam Byers, Miami, Florida; sisters, Taylor (Cade) Wolter, Wabash and Raegan (Baltazar Diaz) Byers, Orange County, California; and his dog, Allie.
Family and friends may visit with Derek’s family on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at 5720 Buckfield Court, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46814.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Derek Byers, memorial contributions may be made to Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, 4141 Shore Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46254, https://www.rhirehab.com/rhi-foundation/.
The family of Derek Byers has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
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