Barbara Jean Barnum-Byram

Barbara Jean Barnum-Byram, age 99, of Union City, Ohio, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, at Village Green Healthcare in Greenville.

She was born on January 22, 1927, in Darke County, to the late William and Alice (O’Dell) Hartzell.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert E. Barnum; siblings, Eileen Hoskins, Robert Hartzell, Delores Bowman, and Jack Hartzell; and son-in-law David E. Townsend.

Jean is survived by her loving husband, E.J. Byram; her children, Lyle (Ruth) Barnum, Linda (Nick) Palmer, Marcia Townsend and Stepson, Dan (Nancy) Byram. Her Grandchildren, Matt Townsend, Mason (Andrea) Townsend, Megan Henry, Carrie (Chris) Clark, Emily Barnum, Tiffany (Josh) Thompson, and Michelle Clark. Eighteen Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great-Grandchildren also survived her.

Jean graduated from Jackson High School in 1944 where she was a four-year drum majorette. She worked at Wright Patterson AFB, the local cabinet factory, A&P Grocery, and she retired as a cafeteria cook at MV School. Her favorite was being a homemaker, Wife, Mother and Grandmother. Her family was everything to her. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, quilting and spent many hours working in her garden, canning, and freezing. She was a true advocate of farm to table. She also enjoyed bowling and fishing.

Jean was a member of Hillgrove Federated Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher and active in the Ladies Circle. Later she attended Woodington Congregational Church.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 3:00-5:00PM at Reichard Funeral Home 400 W. Deerfield Road Union City, Indiana. A graveside service and burial will be in Union City Cemetery, later, at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association or EverHeart Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.reichardfh.com.