Charles Lee Byrne

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Charles Lee Byrne (affectionately known as Poppa) on December 30, 2024, at the age of 96. He took his final breath at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah, with his daughter Marlene by his side.

Born on May 14, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, Charles was the son of Charles H. and Clara Louise Kemp Byrne. Growing up during the Great Depression, his family moved frequently in search of stability, which led him to attend 14 different grammar schools. Eventually, they settled in El Sereno, California, where he made lifelong memories. 

Charles met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Bracken, while attending Wilson Junior High School. During his high school years at Wilson High School, Mary Ellen described Charles as a “geek”, having to wear a suit to school every day for his afterschool job at Macy’s Department Store. Despite Mary Ellen being the popular girl on campus where she enjoyed the attention of several boyfriends, Charles never wavered in his affection for her.

Charles joined the Army shortly after WWII ended and was stationed in Germany to help rebuild the country. Charles and Mary Ellen’s love story blossomed when fate reunited them after Charles returned home. They were married on June 25, 1950, in Alhambra, California, the same day the Korean War broke out. Charles, had re-enlisted in the Inactive Reserves, but was the first to be called up when the war began. Four months after their marriage, Charles was sent to Japan. It was during his time in Japan that he found out Mary Ellen was pregnant with twin girls who were born in September, shortly after his return to the states. 

Despite the challenges of wartime, Charles and Mary Ellen built a life of unwavering commitment and joy. Upon Charles' return from Japan they settled in San Gabriel, California, where they raised four children: Cheryl, Marlene, Dale, and Wayne. A dedicated provider, Charles worked for Kellikat X-Ray Company servicing x-ray machines. He was later employed by GAF Film in sales. Eventually, he became a District Sales Manager for Fuji Film. 

During the years of raising their children, Charles enjoyed coaching both of his son’s Dale and Wayne’s little league teams, the Dodgers and the Red Sox. They attended Emmaus First Lutheran Church in Alhambra where they enjoyed a large community of friends. Around 1987, Charles and Mary Ellen left San Gabriel and moved to a home in Upland, California. Upon Charles retirement, they moved to Heritage Ranch, a retirement community, in San Jacinto, California. 

In June of 2001, Charles and Mary Ellen celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The following April, in 2002, life suddenly changed for Charles leaving him devastated when Mary Ellen passed away due to a pulmonary embolism following knee replacement surgery. 

Gratefully, Charles found love again with Shirley Hilbrands, whom he married on February 13, 2003. Together, they shared many happy years and would have celebrated their 22nd anniversary this year. Together they embraced life’s joys and challenges with resilience. Shirley became an “other mother and grandmother” to all of Charles’s children and grandchildren, for which they have always been grateful. They made their home in San Jacinto, California until Charles' memory started to fade. 

In May of 2020 (during the Covid Pandemic), Charles moved to Washington, Utah, where he was cared for with unwavering dedication by wife Shirley, his daughters Cheryl Cowan and Marlene Shirley, along with Kerry Shirley, Marlene’s husband. As his memory started to fail him even more, Charles spent the last 3 years of his life in various assisted living facilities where Marlene and Kerry gave of their time, energy and love to oversee that Charles was well cared for. 

Though dementia dimmed some of Charles’ memories in his later years, his humor and kindness endured. He greeted visitors with a smile with his comment “everything is cool in the motor pool." When they said goodbye he left them with his signature phrase “dankeschon, bitteschon, and pull a chain.”

Charles Byrne’s life was a testament to love, resilience, and the enduring power of family. He will be remembered for his unwavering devotion, gentle spirit, and the joy he brought to those around him. 

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; four children, Marlene Shirley (Kerry) Washington, Utah; Cheryl Cowan, Alexandria, VA; Dale Byrne (Margaret) Carmel, California; Wayne Byrne (Kathleen) Murrieta, California, along with 17 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; one niece, Karen Chadwick, and one nephew, Michael Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ellen; one sister Audrey Spangenberg; and one niece, Valerie Snoke.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. He will be laid to rest with Mary Ellen. There will be a celebration of life immediately following at the home of his son Wayne Byrne, in Murrieta, California. In lieu of followers, it is suggested making a donation to Tunnels to Towers @www.t2t.org. The family would like to thank all of Charles’ caregivers over the years. They are especially appreciative to everyone at the Southern Utah Veterans Home along with Dixie Hospice for the compassionate, respectful and loving care they gave to Charles. Interment is under the direction of McMillan Mortuary, St. George, Utah.

Unfortunately, since the writing of this obituary, we learned of the sudden and heartbreaking passing of Charles’ sweet wife, Shirley Hilbrands Byrne, at the age of 91. Shirley passed away on January 9, 2025 in her home at Heritage Ranch, San Jacinto, Ca., only 9 days after Charles.